# Stage Plot & Input List Guide A **stage plot** and an **input list** are the two documents that let a sound engineer set up your show *before you arrive*. Send them with your advance and you walk into a room that's already wired for you. Skip them and you'll waste your soundcheck (or have none) untangling what could've been settled by email. --- ## What each document is **Stage plot** — a top-down diagram of the stage showing *where everyone and everything goes*: musicians, instruments, amps, the DJ booth, monitor wedges, DI boxes, and where power is needed. It's a map. The engineer uses it to place mics, monitors, and lines logically and to plan the stage. **Input list (a.k.a. input/channel list)** — a numbered table of every audio source going into the console, in channel order, with the **mic or DI** each one needs and any notes (phantom power, stand type, etc.). It's the engineer's checklist for patching the board. Together they answer: *what's on this stage, where is it, and how does each sound get into the PA and the monitors?* --- ## Why advancing this with the venue matters - **It saves your soundcheck.** When the plot/input list arrives ahead of time, the stage is set and patched before you load in. You spend soundcheck dialing tone, not discovering you're three mics short. - **It surfaces gaps early.** The house finds out *now* that they need an extra DI, a specific number of monitor mixes, or a 5-pin link cable — not at 6pm with doors at 8. - **It confirms compatibility.** Especially for DJs: it forces the venue to confirm **exact booth gear models** so there are no "we have CDJs" surprises (which CDJs? linkable? working USB?). - **It makes you look professional.** Clean docs = a crew that trusts you and treats your show well. - **It protects the show.** Fewer unknowns = fewer ways for the night to go sideways. Send both with your advance ~1–2 weeks out and ask the engineer to confirm they can cover it. Update the docs whenever your setup changes and put a **revision date** on them. --- ## How to format them (both documents) - **One page each, legible, PDF.** Engineers read these fast, often on a phone at load-in. - **Header on both:** Artist name, date/revision, and a **technical contact** (name + cell) who can answer questions. - **Stage plot:** top-down view, audience at the bottom. Label every element. Mark **monitor wedges** and which mix each is, **power drops** needed, and **DI/input positions**. Use simple shapes + a small legend; it doesn't need to be art, it needs to be clear. - **Input list:** a numbered table. Channels in a logical order (typically drums first, then bass, guitars, keys, vocals — or for electronic, the DJ/playback feeds and any live elements). Include the **source, the mic/DI, and notes** (phantom power +48V, stand type, etc.). - **State your monitoring needs:** how many monitor mixes, and whether you bring **in-ear monitors (IEMs)** or use wedges. - **List what you provide vs. what you need from the house** (e.g., "we bring our own DJ controller; need 2x DI and a booth monitor"). --- ## Example input list — BAND (4-piece) > Artist: [BAND NAME] · Rev. [DATE] · Tech contact: [NAME / CELL] > Monitors: 4 mixes (Mix 1 Drums, Mix 2 Bass, Mix 3 Gtr/Vox, Mix 4 Lead Vox). We provide our own IEMs for vocalist; house wedges for the rest. | Ch | Source | Mic / DI | Stand | Notes | |----|--------|----------|-------|-------| | 1 | Kick | Dynamic kick mic (e.g. Beta 52) | Short boom | | | 2 | Snare top | Dynamic (e.g. SM57) | Short boom / clip | | | 3 | Hi-hat | Small-diaphragm condenser | Short boom | +48V | | 4 | Tom 1 | Clip dynamic | Clip | | | 5 | Floor tom | Clip dynamic | Clip | | | 6 | Overhead L | Condenser | Tall boom | +48V | | 7 | Overhead R | Condenser | Tall boom | +48V | | 8 | Bass DI | Active DI | — | From bass amp DI out | | 9 | Bass mic | Dynamic on cab | Short boom | Optional / blend | | 10 | Gtr SR | Dynamic on cab (e.g. SM57) | Short boom | | | 11 | Gtr SL | Dynamic on cab | Short boom | | | 12 | Keys L | DI | — | | | 13 | Keys R | DI | — | | | 14 | Lead vocal | Dynamic vocal (e.g. SM58) | Tall boom | | | 15 | BGV (drummer) | Dynamic vocal | Tall boom | | | 16 | Playback / click | Stereo DI or 1/8" feed | — | From laptop; confirm with house | *(Adjust channel count, mic models, and monitor mixes to your actual setup. "e.g." means a typical choice — the house can substitute equivalents.)* --- ## Note for a DJ / electronic setup (e.g., Snooko) A DJ "input list" is short, but the **advance details are everything** — and they live mostly in confirming booth gear, not in mic placement. - **Confirm exact booth gear models in writing.** "We have CDJs and a mixer" is not enough. You need: which CDJ model (e.g., **CDJ-3000**), which mixer (e.g., **DJM-A9**), how many players, and whether they **link** (USB/SD via PRO DJ LINK, or do you need a link cable / USB hub). - **State your control method:** USB stick(s) with Rekordbox export, or **laptop + Rekordbox/Serato** via the mixer's soundcard/DVS. If laptop, confirm the connection (USB-C? do you need an adapter? is there a working link/USB cable in the booth?). - **Bring backups.** Two USBs + a laptop with your library, all backed up. Carry your own headphones and adapters. - **Booth output / input to FOH:** typically the mixer's master/booth out feeds the house PA — confirm the house takes it correctly (balanced XLR from master out). If you bring a controller, you'll need **2x DI** (L/R) into the system. - **Booth monitor:** confirm there's a working booth monitor and that *you* control its level — you mix off what you hear in the booth. - **Microphone:** note if you need a mic at the booth (MC/announcements). - **Live elements:** if you add a drum machine, synth, or vocal, list those as extra channels/DIs like a band would. **Minimal DJ "input/needs" block to send with your advance:** | Need | Detail to confirm | |------|-------------------| | Players | [#] x [CDJ-3000 or model], linked via [PRO DJ LINK / USB hub]? | | Mixer | [DJM-A9 or model] | | My control method | [USB / laptop + Rekordbox / Serato DVS] — adapter/cable needed: [____] | | FOH feed | Master out (balanced XLR) to house PA — confirm | | Booth monitor | Working + DJ-controllable level — confirm | | If controller instead | 2x DI (L/R) into house system | | Mic at booth | [Yes / No] | | Power | [# of outlets] at the booth | > Put a **revision date** and a **tech contact (name + cell)** on this doc too, and get the house engineer to reply "confirmed" before show day. --- ## Quick checklist - [ ] Stage plot: top-down, everything labeled, monitors + power + DI positions marked - [ ] Input list: numbered, source + mic/DI + notes, phantom power flagged - [ ] Monitor mixes specified; IEMs vs. wedges stated - [ ] What you provide vs. need from the house is explicit - [ ] **DJ: exact booth gear models + control method confirmed in writing** - [ ] Tech contact (name + cell) + revision date on both docs - [ ] Sent with the advance ~1–2 weeks out; house replied "confirmed"