Comparison

Stage Plot Maker vs Recording Mate

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Stage Plot Maker

Create clear, readable stage plots to communicate your band's technical needs to sound engineers. Easily build and manage a collection of plots for various gigs, then print or email them directly from your device. The app uses symbols for instruments and their inputs for a streamlined, efficient display.

Highlights
  • Build clear stage plots
  • Communicate technical requirements
  • Print or email plots
  • Include diagrams and input lists
  • Add performer info and notes
  • Use symbols for instruments
Features
Read full description

Stage Plot Maker helps you build clear, readable stage plots to communicate your band's technical requirements to a sound engineer. You can build a collection of stage plots for different kinds of gigs, then print or email them directly from your mobile device. Running the app on a tablet is recommended for building stage plots. Once you build a stage plot, you can copy it to the phone app for quick access on the go. Stage plots can include a diagram to show the placement of elements on stage; numbered input and output lists; a list of other required items like chairs and music stands; the name and photo of each performer; notes for the sound engineer; and your contact info. Note that this app doesn't use pictures for small instruments like guitars, trumpets, etc. Instead, it uses symbols for the inputs that those instruments go into, like mics or DI boxes. You can label those inputs to show what instrument they are used for. This provides a streamlined display that shows sound engineers just what they need to set up the stage for you. The app does include symbols for large instruments like piano and drums that are typically placed on stage first with the inputs positioned around them. Please see the screen shots and demo video for examples. *** If you have a problem or a suggestion, please contact me before writing a bad review. I respond promptly to all emails and posts in my support forum. ***

About

Recording Mate

Features
Read full description

An SV2 MIDI device is required. Recording Mate is a simple MIDI recording app that lets you connect an SV2 MIDI device, record your performance, and play it back easily. You can record up to 4 tracks, making it easy to separate different instruments or performance parts. Recorded tracks can be played back instantly, and you can mute specific tracks when you want to listen to only selected parts. Your MIDI performance can be saved as a MIDI file and shared with other apps or devices. Key Features: SV2 MIDI device connection support Record up to 4 MIDI tracks Track playback and mute control Delete and re-record tracks Save and share MIDI files

Screenshots

Stage Plot Maker4 screens
Recording Mate3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Recording Mate at Free against Stage Plot Maker's $3.99. Recording Mate also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 3 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Recording Mate is free to download; Stage Plot Maker costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stage Plot Maker ships an update every 3 months, Recording Mate every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Stage Plot Maker versus Recording Mate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStage Plot MakerRecording Mate
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating2.0 (7 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews9.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB40 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperArlo Leachsung keun lee

Bugs and requests

Stage Plot Maker

Reported bugs

21 issues
  • App crashes frequently
  • App closes out on itself
  • Grey boxes stay on
  • Cannot open or edit plans on other devices
  • Cannot export or email plots
Show 16 more
  • Drafts erased when device goes to standby
  • Settings page gets stuck
  • Rotate function doesn't work
  • Input list and 'other items' list clutter plot
  • Cannot edit input list without adding to plot
  • Cannot zoom in
  • Cannot resize items
  • Cannot resize stage
  • Editing screen obscures view
  • Items too big, stage too small
  • No guitar amps or monitors, end up as drums
  • Cannot label properly
  • Text for input list too small
  • Colliding lists and plot
  • No DJ deck listed
  • No guitar pedalboard position option

Requested features

30 requests
  • Add guitars, basses, keyboards, amps
  • Add mic stands
  • Add horns, wind instruments
  • Add string instruments
  • Add DJ deck option
Show 25 more
  • Add guitar pedalboard option
  • Improve instrument selection
  • Allow resizing of items
  • Allow resizing of stage
  • Enable zooming
  • Add free-form label creation
  • Add power box indicators
  • Add graphic for band members
  • Add full drum kit graphic
  • Improve input/output list display
  • Allow editing of input list
  • Add more icons for PA, recording, lighting
  • Provide a grid for alignment
  • Fix crashing issues
  • Improve export/email functionality
  • Add tutorial
  • Add dark mode
  • Add adjustable stage size
  • Add editable instruments with custom names
  • Improve touchscreen controls
  • Allow importing custom icons
  • Add photo import without crashing
  • Fix standby mode erasing drafts
  • Add sort function for objects
  • Make it free or cheaper

Recording Mate

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Stage Plot Maker

No in-app purchases

None

Recording Mate

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Stage Plot Maker free?
Stage Plot Maker costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Recording Mate free?
Recording Mate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Stage Plot Maker or Recording Mate have ads?
Neither Stage Plot Maker nor Recording Mate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stage Plot Maker or Recording Mate?
Stage Plot Maker ships an update every 3 months, and Recording Mate every 4 weeks. Most recently, Stage Plot Maker was updated on October 20, 2026 and Recording Mate on October 8, 2026.

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