SoftPatch Guide
Your guide to the peer-to-peer marketplace for production gear, spaces, and services
What is SoftPatch?
SoftPatch is RiderReady's global peer-to-peer marketplace connecting touring professionals. Whether you need to rent gear for a show, find a pre-viz space, or offer your programming services, SoftPatch connects you directly with other professionals worldwide.
Gear
Rent or list lighting fixtures, audio equipment, video gear, backline, and more.
Spaces
Find studios, rehearsal rooms, pre-viz spaces, warehouses, and production facilities.
Services
Offer or find console programming, system design, lighting design, and technical services.
Getting Access
SoftPatch is open to verified professionals. Here's what you need:
Verification or Membership
Access SoftPatch through one of two paths:
- Free path: Get Touring Pro verification (3+ years experience) - browse SoftPatch and create 1 service listing
- Paid path: Working Pass or higher - instant access without verification, more listing slots
Complete Your Profile
Help others know who they're dealing with. You'll need:
- Profile photo
- First and last name
- Bio (at least 30 characters)
- Industry focus/specialty
Accept SoftPatch Terms
Review and accept the marketplace guidelines on your first visit to ensure a safe experience for everyone.
Listing Slots by Tier
The number of listings you can create depends on your membership tier:
- 1 service listing (Touring Pro req.)
- 1 TourReady slot
- No gear/space listings
- 5 gear listings
- 5 service listings
- 3 TourReady slots
- Unlimited gear listings
- Unlimited service listings
- Unlimited TourReady slots
Creating a Listing
Quick Tip
Visit /softpatch/create to get started with a new listing!
1. Choose Your Listing Type
Lighting, audio, backline, video, rigging, effects
Rehearsal, pre-viz, recording, warehouse, studio
Programming, design, engineering, production
2. Add Details
3. Add Photos
High-quality photos help attract renters and build trust.
- All listing types: At least 1 photo required
- Maximum 10 photos per listing
- Maximum 10MB per photo
- Clear, well-lit images work best
4. Submit for Review
Once you submit, your listing goes to our moderation team for review. Most listings are approved within 24-48 hours. Touring Pro members can publish instantly without waiting for approval.
TourReady
TourReady lets you advertise your availability for touring work. Set your location, travel radius, and let productions discover you through the SoftPatch map.
Finding Gear, Spaces, and Services
Map View
The SoftPatch Map shows all available listings worldwide. Click markers to preview listings, then view details to contact the owner.
Browse by Category
Contacting Listing Owners
Found something you need? Use the inquiry form on any listing to send a message directly to the owner. Be specific about dates, quantities, and any questions you have.
Safety & Best Practices
Always Communicate Through RiderReady
Keep all conversations on the platform initially. This provides a record and protects both parties. Once you've established trust, you can move to direct communication.
Verify Before You Commit
Check the user's profile, reviews, and history on RiderReady. Don't hesitate to ask for references or additional photos before finalizing a rental.
Use Proper Agreements
For gear rentals, always use a rental agreement that covers insurance, damage, loss, and pickup/return terms. SoftPatch connects you - the transaction terms are between you and the other party.
Report Issues
If you encounter suspicious listings, inappropriate behavior, or scams, report them immediately using the report button on listings or contact support.
Important: RiderReady provides the marketplace platform only. We do not process payments, verify gear condition, or guarantee transactions. All arrangements are between users.
Managing Your Listings
View Your Listings
Visit My Listings to see all your active, pending, and expired listings.
Edit a Listing
Click the edit button on any of your listings to update details, pricing, photos, or availability. Changes to published listings may require re-approval.
Expire or Delete
When gear is rented out or you no longer offer a service, you can unpublish or delete the listing. Expired listings can be republished later if needed.
Listing Expiration
Listings automatically expire after a set period to keep the marketplace current. You'll receive a notification when a listing is about to expire, giving you the option to renew it.
Pro Tips
- ✓Great photos sell - Take clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles. Show gear in action when possible.
- ✓Be detailed in descriptions - Include model numbers, specifications, condition notes, and what's included.
- ✓Competitive pricing - Research similar listings to price competitively while covering your costs and risk.
- ✓Respond quickly - Fast responses to inquiries increase your chances of booking.
- ✓Update availability - Keep your listings current. Remove items that are sold or no longer available.
- ✓Build your reputation - Successful transactions build trust. Treat others professionally to earn positive feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Subscription & Access
What happens to my listings if my subscription ends?
Your listings are not deleted - they're paused. If you downgrade from a paid tier, any listings over your new tier's limit will be automatically unpublished. For example, if you had 5 gear listings on Working Pass and downgrade to Local, all gear listings will be paused since Local doesn't include gear listing slots. If you re-subscribe, you can republish them without recreating anything.
Can I use SoftPatch for free?
Yes! With a free Local account and Touring Pro verification, you can browse the entire marketplace, view the map, create 1 service listing, and set 1 TourReady availability slot. Gear and space listings require a Working Pass or higher.
What happens to my TourReady if I downgrade?
Similar to listings - if you have 3 TourReady slots on Working Pass and downgrade to Local, the 2 extra slots will be paused. Your primary TourReady slot stays active. You choose which slots to keep active if you have more than your tier allows.
Can I earn SoftPatch access through XP?
Yes! Working Pass can be earned by accumulating 1,000 XP within 30 days, and AAA can be earned with 5,000 XP within 6 months. Earned access grants a 30-day pass, and both trackers run simultaneously. See the Membership page for details.
Listings & Content
How long does listing approval take?
Most listings are reviewed and approved within 24-48 hours. Touring Pro members can publish listings instantly without waiting for moderation.
Can I list items I don't own?
You can only list items you have the right to rent or services you can personally provide. Do not create listings for gear you don't control or services you can't deliver. Company gear requires authorization from the owner.
Can I list gear from my employer's inventory?
Only if you have explicit permission from your employer. SoftPatch is for personal peer-to-peer transactions. If you're a rental house, consider becoming a Vendor Rep instead - it's designed for businesses and gives you a dedicated vendor profile.
When do listings expire?
Listings automatically expire after a set period to keep the marketplace fresh. You'll get a notification before expiration so you can renew. Expired listings aren't deleted - just unpublished. You can republish anytime from your My Listings page.
Privacy & Location
How is my location shown?
Your exact location is never shown publicly. We use location fuzzing to show your general area (within a few miles/km) to protect your privacy while helping others find nearby listings. This applies to both regular listings and TourReady availability markers.
Can other users see my personal information?
Other users can see your public profile (name, bio, specialty, avatar) and your listing details. Your email, exact address, and account details are never shared. Contact happens through the SoftPatch inquiry system until you choose to share more.
Payments & Transactions
Does RiderReady handle payments?
No. SoftPatch is a marketplace platform that connects users. All payment arrangements, rental agreements, and transactions are handled directly between you and the other party. We do not take a cut or facilitate payment processing for peer-to-peer transactions.
What about insurance?
RiderReady does not provide insurance coverage for SoftPatch transactions. We strongly recommend using rental agreements that specify insurance responsibilities, damage liability, and replacement terms. Many touring professionals carry their own inland marine or equipment insurance - discuss coverage with the other party before any transaction.
What if I have a dispute?
Disputes should be resolved between the parties involved. We recommend using written rental agreements and documenting everything with photos and timestamps. If you encounter fraudulent behavior or scams, report the listing or user to our moderation team and we will take action.
Account & Moderation
Can I be banned from SoftPatch?
Yes. SoftPatch access can be restricted for violations like fraudulent listings, scams, harassment, or repeated community guideline violations. A SoftPatch ban is separate from your main RiderReady account - you can still use the fixture database, reviews, and other features.
How do I report a bad listing or user?
Every listing has a report button. You can also report users through their profile page. Reports go directly to our moderation team. Include as much detail as possible - screenshots, conversation records, and specifics help us act quickly.
Why do I need to complete my profile?
A complete profile with a real photo, name, and bio builds trust in the marketplace. People are more likely to rent gear to or hire someone they can identify. It also helps our moderation team maintain a professional community. The requirements are minimal: photo, name, 30-character bio, and your specialty.
Questions? Visit the Help Center or email support@riderready.live