Band Tech Rider Template — Complete Guide for Musicians

A tech rider (technical rider) is the document you send to every venue before your show that specifies exactly what equipment, stage setup, and technical requirements your band needs. A well-written tech rider makes every show go smoother — a poorly written one (or none at all) leads to chaos.

What to Include in Your Tech Rider

1. Stage Plot

A simple diagram showing where each band member stands on stage, with their equipment. This tells the venue and crew how to set up before you arrive. Include: band member positions, amp placement, monitor positions, drum kit position.

2. Input List

Every microphone, DI box, and line input you need — numbered in the order they appear from stage-left to stage-right. Include: channel number, source (what instrument/mic), mic type if specific, notes (phantom power needed, etc.).

Example input list starter:

• CH 1 — Kick drum — Beta 52 or equivalent
• CH 2 — Snare top — SM57 or equivalent
• CH 3 — Snare bottom — SM57 or equivalent
• CH 4-5 — Overheads (L/R) — Condensers
• CH 6 — Bass DI — Direct box
• CH 7 — Guitar 1 — Amp mic or DI
• CH 8 — Guitar 2 — Amp mic or DI
• CH 9-10 — Keys (L/R) — DI
• CH 11 — Lead vocal — SM58 or equivalent
• CH 12 — Backing vocal 1

3. Monitor Requirements

How many monitor mixes do you need? Who needs to hear what? A typical band needs: drummer (kick + click), bassist (vocals + bass), each guitarist (their guitar + vocals), vocalist (full mix). Specify if you use IEMs (in-ear monitors) vs floor wedges.

4. Backline Requirements

If you're not bringing your own amps, specify what you need. If you're bringing your own: list what the venue needs to provide (power strips, amp stands, etc.).

5. Guitar Scales and Tone Notes (for your crew)

If you work with a sound engineer regularly, it helps to note the key and mode of your set list — this lets them prepare appropriate EQ curves and reverb settings for each song's modal character. Mixolydian needs different treatment than Lydian.