TECHNICAL RIDER

As a musician, artist, or DJ, when preparing to perform at a concert or go on a music tour, one of the things you should have locked down is a technical rider.

A technical rider is a one or two paged document that gives the venue and/or sound engineer an understanding of what an artist or musician’s requirements are and how to set up the stage before the arrival of the act.

It also gives them an opportunity to let you know if they can’t accommodate any of your needs.

Other benefits of having a good tech rider are that it allows you to think through every aspect of your stage setup and it will show that you are a professional at what you do.

Here are nine things you should include in your tech rider:

1.  Number of people in the band

This gives the sound engineer a context and a good starting point for setting up the stage for your performance.

List the names of your band members clearly. Do not forget to include yourself.

2.   List the musical instruments to be played.

How many singers are in your band?

Will the guitarist, pianist and drummer be singing too?

This will enable the sound engineer to get enough microphones and mic stands ready for your band.

3. A summary of which instruments and backline you are bringing and the ones you expect to be supplied by the venue

For example:

The band will supply: 

·        one bass guitar

·        one lead guitar

·        one keyboard

·        three talking drums

·        drums set sticks, etc

The venue will supply:

·        drums set

·        carpet

·        one bass guitar amplifier

·        one lead guitar amplifier

·        one drums set amplifier

·        One talking drum amplifier

·        Eight microphone stands

·        One head microphone, etc

I would also recommend adding: "If the venue is unable to provide any of the equipment above, please contact [band representative with email] so we can coordinate other arrangements."

It is better to know in advance than to be surprised at sound check two hours before a show. 

4.  Frontline Specifications

"Frontline" refers to the PA system. Make sure your tech rider clearly states your expectation from the PA, monitors and console. 

This should include general specification such as two-way speakers, wattage, how many monitors you’ll need on stage and whether you require a subwoofer.

A sub might be very important for your sound but not every PA has one. This is more likely to be the case for venues that don’t usually have band performances and are renting a PA especially for your performance.

If you need certain effects on the console, write them either on your input list next to which channel the effects belong on, or in your frontline description as a general requirement.

EQ is standard on pretty much every console, but compression, gate, reverb, and delay might not be, especially with smaller venues or PA rental situations.

Reiterate the total microphone count (and which kind) from the input list since this is an important "bottom line."

Need any extra cables from the venue? Include that as well, but don’t count on it. And to avoid any misunderstanding, specify whether you have your own soundman or you're expecting the venue to provide one.

 

5.  Stage plot

The stage plot is a mockup or drawing of where various items should be placed on stage. This is essential if your performance has more than two people, requires a lot of equipment/sets, or if you need to move on stage. It’s less essential — but still helpful — if you have a simple formation.

The stage plot helps the venue’s tech staff save time by telling them exactly where you want the items you requested, so they won’t need to be rearranged. 

This makes for smoother load-in and sound check. Remember, time is money!

The main elements are microphones, microphone stands, power outlets, monitors and amplifiers.

This provides the soundman with a visual overview and allows them to start setting up before you even arrive, which will leave you more time for sound check.

An example of a stage plot is above ↑.

6.  Links to your music

You can’t expect that your soundman will listen to your music before your concert, especially if he's running sound on a nightly basis for a club or a festival. 

But you will benefit greatly if he does, as he will get acquainted with your sound. One thing you can be sure of is that if you don’t make it really easy for the sound engineer to check out your music, he probably won’t.

I recommend including a link to your songs in a free, streamable format in your tech rider. It can also be useful to refer to the name of a well-known artist who has a similar sound to yours.

Sometimes, this might be difficult to figure out especially for an artist like me that has my own sound, different from the regular Naija music.

7.   Your contact information

You’d be surprised how many bands forget to include this in their tech rider. A busy soundman is likely to check out your tech rider a day or two before the show and then print a hard copy to take the venue the day of the show. If he or she needs clarification while setting up, make it easy to be reached by telephone and email.

8.  A "thank you"

Start your relationship with the sound engineer positively. Thank him in advance for his help. He can either be your best friend or your worst enemy when you're onstage.

A good tech rider is one of many things you’ll need to prepare before heading out of the rehearsal room for a concert or tour. 

Hopefully this checklist will help you draw one up, get clarity about your stage requirements and save you any misunderstandings and time when you show up for sound check.

9.   Hospitality Needs

This is where those infamous stories come from! 

As an upcoming artist like myself, your technical rider should include your hospitality requirements but there’s no need to go overboard. 

Sometimes, the venue will offer light food and beverages. Most times, they do not care. So, you make sure that you or your manager requests for this ahead of time.

You will want to have a setup that’s comfortable. It is typical to request for water, drinks, small chops or even food.

If I will be performing into the night, I request for two hotel, motel or guest house rooms. It is easier if the venue of my performance is either of the three. 

If not, agreements would have been made before hand with the organizers of the event to book at least two rooms; one for me and the other for my band.

Ask for whatever you want. This will help you focus on the performance and feel good about what you are doing.

As I rise up to become and A-list musician, I will request for my a separate list of hospitality needs called hospitality rider. 

International artists like Tuface, Dbanj, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige request for this separately from their technical rider.

I will give examples of the content of an hospitality rider in my next blog.

I would love to read your comments. Kindly do that in the comment section below.

Thank you.