Downstage Monitor Rental
Rent professional downstage monitors for live events, keynotes, concerts, and corporate shows so your presenters always see what they need without breaking eye contact with the audience.
Downstage monitors (also called confidence monitors or DSMs) give speakers, performers, and hosts a clear view of scripts, slides, lyrics, or cues while they stay fully engaged with the room. Positioned at the front edge of the stage, these low‑profile screens are the industry standard for conferences, live broadcasts, concerts, and high‑stakes corporate presentations.
We provide turnkey downstage monitor rental with delivery, setup, and on-site support so your show runs smoothly from rehearsal to curtain call.
What Is a Downstage Monitor?
A downstage monitor is a flat screen placed on the floor at the front of the stage, tilted up toward the presenter. It mirrors exactly what the presenter needs to see: slides, notes, lyrics, a teleprompter feed, timers, or show cues.
You may also hear these called:
Confidence monitors
DSMs (downstage monitors)
Rock ’n’ roll monitors
All of these describe the same core concept: a stage-facing screen designed to give your talent confidence without distracting the audience.
$1,295, that’s per 10-hour day with a professional operator for one. Each additional monitor is $195
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When to Use a Downstage Monitor
Downstage monitors are ideal when:
Speakers need to see slides or notes while moving freely on stage
Performers need lyrics or music cues for a concert or live recording
Panelists need to see questions, names, or timing information
Presenters want a safety net for complex or high‑stakes presentations
They’re especially useful on large stages or in rooms where the main screens are far from the presenter’s eyeline.
Downstage Monitor vs. Presidential Teleprompter
Not sure whether you need a downstage monitor or a presidential teleprompter?
Choose a downstage monitor if your presenter wants to reference slides, bullet points, or lyrics, or prefers a more conversational delivery.
Choose a presidential teleprompter if they need to read a scripted speech word‑for‑word while maintaining direct eye contact with the audience.
Many events use both: presidential teleprompters for the main address and downstage monitors for panels, intros, outros, and flexible segments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are “downstage monitors” and “confidence monitors” the same thing?
Yes. In most event and AV contexts, “downstage monitor,” “confidence monitor,” and “DSM” all refer to stage-facing screens that show content to the presenter, not the audience.
Will the audience see the monitors?
Downstage monitors are placed low and angled up toward the presenter. When properly positioned, they are minimally visible or not noticeable at all to the audience, especially in larger rooms.
What can you display on a downstage monitor?
We can feed slides (presenter view or mirrored), notes, lyrics, timers, teleprompter text, or custom signals depending on your setup and show needs.
Do I need an operator?
For simple slide mirroring, your show computer operator may be sufficient. For teleprompter text, multiple feeds, or complex cues, we recommend an experienced operator to keep everything perfectly in sync.
Which sizes are available?
We offer a range of screen sizes so we can match your stage depth and viewing distance. Tell us about your venue and we’ll recommend appropriate sizes and quantities.
