Plan your monitor mix before the first note hits.
A pre-show worksheet for bands, worship teams, and volunteer engineers. List your performers, assign wedges and IEM feeds, note stem requests, and walk into soundcheck with a clear plan.
Monitor worksheet
Stage plot preview
A quick visual of who is on which feed. W = wedge, I = IEM.
Soundcheck notes
Example plan: four-piece band
A typical small-venue setup with two wedges up front and two IEMs for drums and keys.
| Performer | Role | Feed | Channel | Stems requested | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maya | Lead vocals | Wedge | W1 | Vox (loud), keys, click | Avoids bass in wedge |
| Dev | Guitar | Wedge | W2 | Guitar, vox, drums | Prefers less kick |
| Sam | Keys | IEM | I3 | Keys, vox, click | Stereo mix requested |
| Jordan | Drums | IEM | I4 | Kick, snare, vox, keys | Needs loud click |
How to use this planner
Start by writing down the name of the gig, the date, and who is running sound. Then add each performer who needs a monitor feed. For each person, pick whether they use a wedge or an in-ear monitor, assign them a channel number, and list the stems they want in that mix.
Use the level sliders to mark how loud each stem should be relative to the others. These are not exact decibel numbers. They are a starting point for the engineer. A slider at the right means "more of this." A slider at the left means "barely there." Write any extra notes in the notes field for that performer.
When everyone is listed, glance at the stage plot preview. It shows where each feed sits on stage and whether any channels are shared. Shared channels are fine, but both people on that feed should agree on the stem balance before soundcheck.
Save the plan in your browser if you are coming back to it later. Copy the share link to send the exact plan to another person on the team. Print the plan and tape it in the sound booth so the engineer can follow it during soundcheck.
Common mistakes
- Waiting until soundcheck to decide. The plan only works if it is written before the band starts playing. Fifteen minutes of planning saves forty minutes of guessing.
- Too many stems in one feed. If a performer asks for six things in one wedge, the mix gets muddy. Ask them to pick the two or three things they actually need to hear.
- Forgetting the click. Drummers and bass players often need a click track. Note it explicitly so the engineer does not miss it.
- Sharing a wedge without telling anyone. If two performers share a wedge, write both names on that row. Otherwise the engineer will only mix for one of them.
- Not labeling the hardware. A wedge labeled "W1" on paper should also be labeled "W1" on the stage. Tape and a marker solve this.
What to double-check at soundcheck
- Every wedge is on the correct channel and pointed at the right performer.
- Every IEM pack is on the right frequency and the batteries are fresh.
- No wedge is pointing at a microphone. Move it or angle it before you start.
- Each performer confirms they can hear what they asked for before the full band plays.
Assumptions
This planner assumes you have a mixing board with at least as many auxiliary sends as you have monitor feeds. It does not configure your board for you. Channel numbers, stem names, and send types are whatever your specific setup uses. If your board uses matrix outputs or groups for monitors, translate those names into the channel field.