WMA Tech Rider Template
DOWNLOAD THE TECH RIDER TEMPLATE HERE: TECH RIDER TEMPLATE
WMA Tech Rider
The purpose of the WMA Tech Rider resources is to help artists, touring personnel, venues, promoters, production teams, engineers, and event organizers clearly communicate the technical requirements necessary to properly present a live performance.
This resource is not intended to function as a substitute for direct communication between artists and production teams, nor is it presented as a rigid one-size-fits-all production specification. Instead, it is designed to serve as a practical and professional operational framework that may help reduce misunderstandings, technical surprises, production delays, setup confusion, and preventable performance issues commonly encountered throughout independent live entertainment environments.
The downloadable templates and examples provided on this page are intended as customizable starting points. Users are encouraged to review, modify, expand, or simplify these materials as necessary to fit their particular performance setup, production scale, venue environment, or touring situation.
A tech rider is one of the most important operational documents within live performance environments. It communicates the technical needs of an artist or production before arrival at the venue so that venue staff, production personnel, engineers, and organizers may prepare appropriately in advance.
A properly prepared tech rider may include information regarding:
- Stage layout
- Input requirements
- Monitor mixes
- Microphone needs
- DI requirements
- Playback systems
- Lighting requests
- Power requirements
- Backline requirements
- Wireless systems
- Production staffing
- Changeover procedures
- Soundcheck expectations
- Venue limitations
- Accessibility considerations
- Special performance elements
While many performances proceed professionally without issue, problems become significantly more difficult to resolve when technical expectations were never clearly communicated before load-in.
Many operational problems occur not because either party acted maliciously, but because assumptions were made regarding:
- Available equipment
- Monitor systems
- Input counts
- Console capabilities
- Backline availability
- Stage dimensions
- Power availability
- Staffing support
- Playback requirements
- Wireless coordination
- Changeover timing
- Lighting capabilities
One party may believe:
- The venue provides full production
- Playback systems are available
- Drum hardware is included
- Wireless systems are already coordinated
- Soundcheck time is guaranteed
- Monitor mixes are understood
Meanwhile, the other party may believe:
- The artist is fully self-contained
- Additional inputs are unnecessary
- Certain equipment is artist-supplied
- Playback systems were never requested
- Staffing limitations were understood
- Venue production limitations were obvious
The core philosophy behind these resources is simple:
- If it matters operationally, it should be documented.
- If it is documented, it should be shared in advance.
- If it is shared in advance, expectations become easier to manage professionally.
Whenever possible:
- Tech riders should be distributed well before event day.
- Riders should remain updated and version-controlled.
- Changes should be communicated clearly.
- Touring personnel and venues should review riders together before show day whenever possible.
Tech riders should clearly communicate:
- Exact technical requirements
- Input needs
- Monitor requirements
- Power needs
- Stage layout expectations
- Production limitations
- Venue coordination needs
- Backline expectations
- Staffing requirements
- Playback requirements
- Changeover procedures
- Soundcheck scheduling
- Operational restrictions
- Accessibility or special considerations
Likewise, venues and production teams should avoid assuming that artists automatically understand:
- Venue limitations
- Staffing limitations
- Equipment availability
- Changeover restrictions
- House console limitations
- Soundcheck scheduling realities
- Production scheduling constraints
Artists and touring personnel should likewise avoid assuming that venues automatically understand:
- Playback dependencies
- Monitor mix requirements
- Touring rig complexity
- Production workflow
- Stage layout expectations
- Instrument change requirements
- Technical dependencies
- Operational priorities
It is also important to understand that tech riders do not automatically replace:
- Performance agreements
- Hospitality riders
- Input lists
- Stage plots
- Backline agreements
- Settlement agreements
- Additional operational documents
unless specifically incorporated into those agreements.
If disagreements later arise regarding production expectations, technical limitations, staffing support, equipment availability, setup procedures, or operational responsibilities, documented technical riders may provide important clarification regarding what was originally discussed and requested.
The WMA Tech Rider resources are intended to encourage:
- Clear communication
- Professional preparation
- Organized production coordination
- Mutual operational understanding
- Respectful working relationships
- Better touring preparation
- Stronger production standards throughout live entertainment environments
Professional live production is built upon preparation, communication, and realistic operational coordination long before the audience ever enters the room.
The long-term goal is not to create unnecessary bureaucracy within live production environments. The goal is to encourage clearer expectations, smoother production workflows, stronger professionalism, and healthier working relationships between artists, venues, engineers, organizers, and touring personnel alike.