- [Resources](/resources/) - [EPK template](/resources/epk-template) - [Stage plot](/resources/stage-plot-template) [Solo or duo plot](#solo-duo) - [3-piece trio plot](#trio) - [4-piece band plot](#four-piece) - [Venue stage data](#stage-data) - [Tech & hospitality rider](#rider) - [Common questions](#faq) - [How to get gigs](/resources/how-to-get-gigs) - [Book a music tour](/resources/how-to-book-a-music-tour) - [Booking emails](/resources/booking-email-templates) - [Venue pay data](/resources/how-much-do-venues-pay-bands) - [Compare directories](/resources/indie-on-the-move-alternative) # Stage plot and input list templates Updated November 2026 · Grounded in 2,017 published venue stage records A stage plot and input list is a one-page technical diagram and channel chart that shows a venue sound engineer where every performer, amplifier, monitor wedge, power drop, and XLR input sits on stage. Across 16,612 open venues in No Stairs Please as of November 2026, 2,017 rooms publish stage and PA specifications. ## 1. Solo or acoustic duo stage plot and 4-channel input list Use this 4-channel layout when advancing gigs at [1,498 breweries and taprooms](/venues/type/breweries-with-live-music), [1,197 wineries](/venues/type/wineries-with-live-music), [112 listening rooms](/venues/type/listening-rooms), and 410 coffee shops. Always note whether you carry a self-contained powered speaker pair in case the room has no house PA. Solo or acoustic duo · 4 channels · 2 monitor mixesFootprint 8 ft x 6 ft min Ch Instrument or source Mic or DI Stand Position & monitor notes 01 Acoustic guitar, stage right Active DI, Radial or house Floor Stage right pedalboard, requires 120V AC drop 02 Acoustic guitar or mandolin, stage left Active DI, Radial or house Floor Stage left pedalboard 03 Lead vocal, stage right Shure SM58 or Beta 58A Tall boom Heavy in MON 1, medium in MON 2 04 Harmony vocal, stage left Shure SM58 Tall boom Medium in MON 1, heavy in MON 2 ## 2. 3-piece trio stage plot and 9-channel input list For a drums, bass, and guitar trio playing 100-to-250 capacity clubs and [bars with live music](/venues/type/bars-with-live-music), keep the channel list to 9 inputs so a house engineer on a 16-channel compact digital console can soundcheck your band in 15 minutes. 3-piece trio · 9 channels · 3 monitor mixesFootprint 12 ft x 8 ft min ## 3. 4-piece full-band stage plot and 14-channel input list This 14-channel layout fits standard club stages at [1,633 dedicated music venues](/venues/type/small-music-venues) and 3,349 halls and arts centers. Channels follow the universal drum-to-vocal snake order. 4-piece band · 14 channels · 4 monitor mixesFootprint 16 ft x 10 ft min Ch Source Preferred mic or DI 48V Stand Stage position 01Kick drumBeta 52A or D112NoShort boomUpstage center 02Snare topShure SM57NoShort boom or clipUpstage center 03Rack tomSennheiser e604NoRim clipUpstage center 04Floor tomSennheiser e604NoRim clipUpstage center 05Overhead SRSmall-diaphragm condenserYesTall boomUpstage right 06Overhead SLSmall-diaphragm condenserYesTall boomUpstage left 07Bass guitarXLR post-EQ out or active DINoAmp topUpstage left 08Guitar 1 amp, rhythmShure SM57 or e609NoShort boomStage right 09Guitar 2 amp, leadShure SM57 or e609NoShort boomStage left 10Keys left, mono sum if 1 chPassive stereo DINoKeyboard tierStage right 11Keys right or acoustic DIPassive stereo DINoKeyboard tierStage right 12Backing vocal 1, stage rightShure SM58NoTall boomDownstage right 13Lead vocal, centerShure Beta 58ANoTall boomDownstage center 14Backing vocal 2, stage leftShure SM58NoTall boomDownstage left ## How many venues publish stage and PA specs? In the No Stairs Please directory, 2,020 venues publish room and stage descriptions and 2,017 publish specific stage equipment details. Coverage varies sharply by venue category, which tells you when to bring your own PA or vocal monitors. Venue category Open venues Published stage specs Median capacity Typical house PA reality [Music venue](/venues/type/small-music-venues) 1,633 332 400 Full FOH PA, 3 to 4 monitor mixes, house engineer, and mic package Hall & arts center 3,349 787 400 Full theatrical stage, lighting rig, and dedicated production advance [Bar & pub](/venues/type/bars-with-live-music) 3,383 293 150 Vocal PA with 8 to 16 inputs in music bars; corner rooms often require band PA [Brewery & taproom](/venues/type/breweries-with-live-music) 1,498 113 140 Patio or corner area; acts usually supply their own powered speakers and mixer [Winery & tasting room](/venues/type/wineries-with-live-music) 1,197 65 150 Lawn or tasting patio with 120V power; performers bring a compact column or 10-inch PA [Listening room](/venues/type/listening-rooms) 112 30 100 Tuned acoustic room with house vocal and instrument mics and low stage volume ## Copy-paste technical and hospitality rider template For rooms under 400 capacity, attach your hospitality and load-in notes to the bottom of your single-page stage plot rather than sending a multi-page contract rider. ``` STAGE PLOT & ADVANCE SHEET: [ACT NAME] Touring party: [4 musicians, 1 van (Ford Transit, 20 ft length, standard parking)] Day-of-show contact: [Name] · [Phone Number] LOAD-IN & BACKLINE - Load-in time: As scheduled by venue production (30-minute stage setup) - Backline carried: Full drum kit, cymbals, snare, bass combo, 2 guitar combos, all pedalboards and DI boxes - Requested from house: PA system, 4 monitor wedges on 3 to 4 mixes, vocal mics (3x SM58), drum mic package, and XLR cables HOSPITALITY & GUEST LIST (SMALL CLUB STANDARD) - Drinking water at stage (we carry reusable bottles if water station is available) - 1 hot meal per touring member OR $15 to $20 per-person meal buyout, per venue policy - 2 drink tickets per member for local tap or non-alcoholic options - 4 guest list spots, subject to room capacity ``` ## Common questions about stage plots ### What is a stage plot and input list? A stage plot is a top-down diagram showing where each musician, amplifier, drum kit, DI box, vocal microphone, monitor wedge, and 120V power drop sits on stage from the perspective of the audience looking at the stage. The accompanying input list numbers every XLR channel from stage right to stage left so the sound engineer can patch the snake before load-in. ### Is stage left from the band's perspective or the audience's perspective? Stage directions are always named from the performer's perspective standing on stage facing the crowd. Stage right is on the performer's right hand, and stage left is on the performer's left hand. However, a stage plot diagram is drawn with Downstage at the bottom of the page so it matches what the front-of-house engineer sees from the mixing desk. ### How do you number channels on an audio input list? Standard live sound convention numbers channels in sequence starting with drums, followed by bass DI, electric guitars, keys or acoustic DIs, and finally vocals from stage right to stage left.