Guide · 4 min read

Turn a rider PDF into an input list

A rider already lists every channel you need. load·in reads a rider PDF or Word document and turns it into one record of the show — an editable input list and stage plot — instead of you retyping it by hand.

load·in input list and stage plot screen

Steps

  1. Open load·in and start a new show. Choose “Import” and select the rider PDF or Word file.
  2. Let load·in read the document. It extracts the channel list — names, instrument, mic or DI type — into one record of the show.
  3. Check the extracted list. Riders vary in format; confirm every channel came through and fix anything the document stated ambiguously.
  4. Arrange the stage plot. load·in places elements from the detected instrument names; drag anything that needs to match the physical stage.
  5. Export. PDF/PNG input list and stage plot, CSV, or your desk's native file, depending on your plan.

A rider is written for humans and varies in format, so review the extracted list before a show — this step replaces retyping, not reading.

This is the same input list load·in uses for every export after — native console files, CSV, DAW templates — so getting it right once from the rider pays off at every later step.

FAQ

Does it work with any rider format?

Most text-based PDF and Word riders parse cleanly. A scanned or photographed rider works too — see the photo-of-a-rider guide.

Is this free?

Yes. Rider import, the input list, and a watermarked PDF/PNG are available on the Free tier.

What if the rider is missing details?

load·in extracts what the document states. Fill in anything the rider omitted directly in the input list before export.

Try it with your own show

Free covers 3 saved plots, CSV, and native X32/M32 export — no sign-in required.

Open load·in →