A document specifying a DJ's technical requirements sent to a venue or promoter before a show.
A rider is a document a DJ or artist sends to a venue or promoter ahead of a performance, listing technical requirements such as mixer model and firmware version, monitor speaker placement, channel assignments, input types, and any software or hardware the DJ is bringing. The tech rider portion focuses specifically on the audio and equipment chain, as distinct from a hospitality rider covering travel and catering.
Why it matters
Arriving at a venue without a tech rider means relying on whatever gear happens to be installed, which can mean playing on an unfamiliar mixer, missing a specific input, or discovering too late that the booth monitor is routed incorrectly. A clear rider gives the venue time to prepare the correct setup so the DJ can focus on the set rather than troubleshooting connections.
In practice
Keep the tech rider to one page: list your preferred mixer model first, then acceptable alternatives, followed by a simple signal-flow diagram showing how your media players or laptop connect to the mixer. Include firmware or software version requirements where they matter.
