Bass Guitar Stage Plot: Amp, DI, and Input List

TL;DR — A bass guitar stage plot should show the bassist, pedalboard, amplifier and cabinet if used, every DI or direct output, vocal microphone, monitor destination, and nearby power. The input list must distinguish the main feed, amp microphone, and any spare or effects path, with connector and provider details. Document the rig that will arrive—amp, direct-only, modeller, or hybrid—and confirm substitutions during the advance.

Table of contents

1. Define the bass signal path
2. Draw the rig in six steps
3. Choose the console feeds
4. Build the bass input list
5. Plan backline, power, and changeover
6. Document monitoring
7. Common mistakes
8. FAQ

Define the bass signal path

Start with the physical outputs used at the show. “Bass guitar” names the instrument, but it does not tell the crew whether the console receives a DI before the amplifier, an amplifier output, a microphone, a modeller output, or several feeds.

Use the actual touring configuration as the baseline. Put a smaller festival or fly-date alternative in a separate note instead of combining incompatible rigs into one drawing.

If the venue supplies the amplifier or cabinet, define the functional requirement, acceptable alternative, and provider. The backline rider guide explains how to separate carried and requested equipment.

Draw the rig in six steps

1. Place the bassist

Show the player at the real stage position using stage left and right from the performer’s perspective. Label the person or role, not only Bass. Add a vocal microphone and stand if the bassist sings.

2. Add pedals and wireless equipment

Draw the pedalboard, modeller, wireless receiver, or floor preamp where it operates. Keep the footprint clear of wedge edges, stand bases, access routes, and instrument changes.

3. Place the amplifier and cabinet

Show the separate head and cabinet when both travel. Label a combo as a combo. Record an offstage or isolated cabinet only after that arrangement has been agreed, because it changes access and monitoring.

4. Mark every audio handoff

Connect each console feed to a stable input number. Label the DI point—before pedals, after pedals, preamp output, or another specific handoff—when it changes the signal the engineer receives.

5. Add power

Place power beside the equipment it serves. The pedalboard, modeller, wireless receiver, and amplifier may need connections at different positions. State verified equipment requirements when requested; do not invent electrical loads.

6. Add the monitor destination

Place the wedge or identify the IEM mix. Leave workable space between the player, cabinet, pedals, vocal stand, and monitor. If the cabinet is the bassist’s main local reference, say whether bass is also needed in the wedge or IEM.

For general layout rules, see How to Make a Stage Plot.

Choose the console feeds

There is no universal feed that suits every bass rig. Choose and name the feeds used by this production.

DI before the amplifier

A DI can give FOH a feed independent of the stage amplifier. State whether the DI is active or passive, who provides it, where it sits in the chain, and whether it accepts phantom power. Do not assume that an amplifier input or link connector is a DI output.

Amplifier output

Some bass amplifiers provide a balanced output. Record the connector and actual output behavior from the equipment documentation, including pre/post processing when relevant. Confirm whether the amplifier must remain connected to a suitable speaker load; the rider should not improvise electrical or load rules.

Cabinet microphone

An amplifier cabinet may also be miked. Give it a separate channel name, specify the preferred microphone or functional alternative, and state who supplies the microphone and stand. If it is optional, label it optional instead of silently reserving a channel.

Multiple feeds

A clean DI plus an effected or amplified feed can be useful when the production is designed around both, but every feed consumes a channel and must be checked. Name each output’s purpose. A backup output should say spare and explain when it replaces the main feed.

Read What Is Phantom Power? before marking 48V.

Build the bass input list

Use names that match the plot exactly:

This is an illustration, not a required channel order. A direct-only rig may use one bass channel; a designed multi-feed rig may use more.

Confirm these fields for every source:

• stable source name and channel number;
• instrument, preamp, amplifier, or modeller output;
• DI, microphone, or direct-output handoff;
• connector and output type where known;
• mono/stereo or clean/effected relationship;
• artist or venue provider;
• phantom-power status for the actual device;
• stand or placement note;
• monitor mix destination.

The input list and patch sheet guide covers the complete workflow.

Plan backline, power, and changeover

For a supplied rig, distinguish the head, cabinet, verified load requirement, acceptable alternatives, and who supplies speaker and power cables. Never treat an instrument cable as a speaker cable or leave equipment matching until changeover.

For shared festival backline, state what remains and what changes:

Keep power requests positional and equipment-based, such as upstage right: bass head and wireless receiver. Qualified production personnel determine safe distribution and local suitability. See the stage power guide.

Document monitoring

State what the bassist needs to hear and through which destination. A cabinet does not replace a monitor plan: the player may still need vocals, kick, playback, cues, or other instruments.

Use one performer name and mix ID across the plot, input list, and monitor table. The monitor mix planning guide shows how to connect sources and destinations.

Common mistakes

Drawing only a bass icon. The venue still cannot tell whether to prepare a DI, amplifier, cabinet, microphone, or direct patch.

Calling every amplifier output a DI. Record the real connector and output. A balanced amplifier output and a separate DI are not automatically interchangeable.

Leaving the DI point ambiguous. A feed before effects can differ from one after a preamp or pedal chain.

Treating the cabinet as the monitor plan. The bassist may still need a complete wedge or IEM mix.

Omitting provider responsibility. Heads, cabinets, DIs, microphones, stands, and speaker cables each need a provider.

Adding unused channels. List only the feeds the show will patch and check.

Pre-send checklist

• Bassist and stage position are named
• Pedalboard, wireless, head, and cabinet are shown
• Every console feed has a distinct source name
• DI position and provider are clear
• Amp and cabinet responsibilities are separate
• Input numbers match the input list
• Power drops sit beside the equipment they serve
• Wedge or IEM destination is identified
• Vocal microphone is included when used
• Shared-backline alternatives are explicit

FAQ

What should a bass guitar stage plot include?

Show the bassist, pedalboard or modeller, amp and cabinet if used, every DI or microphone handoff, input numbers, power positions, vocal microphone, and wedge or IEM destination. State who supplies each critical item.

Does a bass guitar need a DI box live?

Not always. Productions may use a DI, a balanced amplifier or modeller output, a cabinet microphone, or multiple feeds. Document the actual handoff and provider instead of assuming one method.

Should bass go through an amp and DI?

It can, but both are not mandatory. An amp may provide stage sound while a DI feeds FOH; another rig may be direct-only. If two feeds are required, name their purposes and list separate channels.

How do you list bass guitar on an input list?

Give each feed a channel number, stable source name, device, connector, provider, phantom-power status, and placement note. Separate clean, effected, amp, and spare feeds.

Where should a bass amp go on stage?

Place it where the agreed layout gives the performer useful access and sound without blocking paths, equipment, or changeover. Behind or beside the bassist is common, but the correct position depends on the production.

Keep the bass rig and channel list aligned

Build the bass stage plot in Techrider.live, connect each feed to the input and monitor lists, and share the current Rider with the venue before load-in.

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Last updated: 2026-07-25 · Reviewed for practical bass-rig, input-list, and stage-handoff communication.