It’s likely they have better things to do with their time.įinally, I think there is an element of professionalism to having a stage plot, too. They don’t want to be responsible for – or messing around with – setting up gear at the last minute. If your band was merely pumped through the mains, you’d have trouble hearing yourself, and you may even end up hearing reflections and echoes instead of the source.Īnd, as I’ve already shared, organizers want their event to go off without a hitch. Monitoring ends up being a critical component to the band’s overall success, because you need to be able to hear each other. So, on a larger stage, you have a lot of space to move around. This serves a practical function as much as it does an organizational one. It’s not ideal for everyone, but good enough for most, and it’s exactly how most bands set up.īut for larger stages, theater gigs, festivals and the like (maybe even a Battle of the Bands style competition), you will likely be asked to provide a stage plot. Guitar and bass can be to the right and left of the drums. So, the drums should be center stage, towards the back. It’s good to follow certain conventions instead of getting innovative with the average setup. Yes, it was too small even for three musicians with two acoustic guitars and a keytar (none of that gear takes up much space). I remember playing as a trio on a cramped stage in Invermere, BC. Some venues will have a sound guy to handle mics and the overall mics, some don't. Why Is It Needed?įor the average coffeehouse, bar, pub or club gig, you don’t need a stage plot.īands and artists tend to make do with what they’ve got and often do their own setup. And, it’s a win for you, too, because it generally means you can plug and play when your set time comes.

It’s much easier for organizers and techs if every act already has an accurate stage plot. If you don’t give them what they need, you may lose your spot on the bill.Īfter all, organizers need to coordinate with a variety of people, including the techs, who need to set up the equipment for the show. If they ask for something, they mean business. Organizers, for better or for worse, don’t have much time. 1/16 real size), though this isn’t always necessary.Ī note of caution: If a venue or festival requires a stage plot from you then I wouldn’t suggest sending back a note saying “oh, we just need two mics and two DIs – just put them center stage”. It is preferable to have stage plots that are scalable (e.g. How To Make A Stage Plot Online, Final ThoughtsĪ stage plot is basically just a graphical diagram (sometimes hand drawn) showing where all your equipment goes on stage, who will be using it, what connections you’ll require (DI, XLR, 1/4” cable, etc.), where you want the monitors, and the like.Top Stage Plot Apps For Android And iPhone.

Best free stage plot maker to download