Plug and Playback
Full-Service Playback Systems | Show Programming | Touring Support
Where precision meets performance.
Plug and Playback was built for the modern touring landscape — where shows need to sound flawless, scale fast, and move seamlessly across cities, countries, and crews.
Founded by Stephan Jacobs, a veteran playback engineer and show programmer with over 15 years of experience supporting artists like A$AP Rocky, SIA, Saweetie, The Kid Laroi, Run The Jewels, Russ, and Snoh Aalegra, Plug and Playback delivers a smarter, more sustainable approach to live show playback.
Our Philosophy: Plug In. Play Anywhere.
Most tours still depend on one playback tech and one laptop.
We built Plug and Playback to change that.
Our systems are modular, documented, and scalable, designed so any engineer on our roster can step in and keep the show running — whether it’s a TV performance, festival slot, or full world tour.
We handle everything:
Show programming — complete Ableton, Pro-Tools, Logic and MainStage session design, MIDI/timecode integration, and visual sync
Playback hardware & laptop rentals — redundant, pre-configured rigs with auto-failover
Payroll & logistics — one invoice covering techs, equipment, and support
Documentation & handoff — clear video walkthroughs, backups, and version tracking for total continuity
Powered by Innovation
Plug and Playback was founded by Stephan Jacobs, a veteran playback engineer and show programmer who’s spent years designing systems for top-tier artists and helping shape the tools that define modern touring playback.
Before launching Plug and Playback, Stephan collaborated closely with Strange Electronic, contributing to the development and refinement of industry-standard tools like:
Setlist — a next-generation show control and playback management platform
TuneLive — real-time vocal tuning and monitoring integration
Lyrics — live lyric sync tools for artists, MDs, and playback engineers
That hands-on experience helped inspire the foundation of Plug and Playback — a company built from the ground up to deliver artist-friendly, tour-tested, future-forward playback systems.
Our rigs integrate and build upon the same innovations used by leading touring professionals, giving you a next-generation playback experience that’s both creative and rock solid.
One Contract. One Team. One Standard.
We simplify every part of the process by operating as a full-service playback agency.
When you hire Plug and Playback, you pay the company — not multiple freelancers.
We handle:
Engineer scheduling and payroll
Equipment prep, shipping, and remote support
Tour documentation and version control
Redundancy systems and tech swaps
That means less chaos, fewer wires crossed, and more time for what matters — the show.
How It Works
Consultation: We identify your show’s creative and technical needs.
Programming: Our team builds and tests your session and rig.
Documentation: Everything’s captured in video and notes for future continuity.
Deployment: A trained Plug and Playback engineer runs your show.
Support: We provide remote assistance, updates, and backup coverage as your tour evolves.
Why Plug and Playback?
Because your show shouldn’t depend on luck — it should depend on systems.
We bring together industry-tested engineers, reliable hardware, and streamlined communication to make touring playback smarter, faster, and stress-free.
Whether you’re gearing up for rehearsals, festival season, or a global tour — Plug and Playback is your backstage insurance policy.
About the Founder
Stephan Jacobs
Playback Engineer • Show Programmer • Music Producer
Stephan has designed and operated playback systems for artists including A$AP Rocky, Saweetie, The Kid Laroi, Run The Jewels, Russ, and Snoh Aalegra, and has collaborated with Strange Electronic on some of the most advanced playback tools in the touring industry.
He founded Plug and Playback to bridge the gap between creative freedom and technical precision — giving artists and crews a reliable, scalable foundation for every show.
Let’s Make Your Show Bulletproof
310.770.4119
📍 Based in Los Angeles | Supporting tours worldwide
Satisfied Clients:
A$AP Rocky
From 2018 to 2022, I had the privilege of overseeing playback, show programming and Autotune for A$AP Rocky's performances. Throughout this time, I traveled extensively across the globe, diligently ensuring that each concert reached its pinnacle in terms of auditory excellence. This allowed A$AP to fully engage with his audience, delivering unforgettable experiences at every turn.
Saweetie
Got the chance to join forces with the Saweetie crew on an epic project. We upgraded to top-notch tech for our playback setup and rocked out at the Banc of California Stadium. I built a whole new Ableton session from the ground up (they were using Pro Tools before). It was a killer project, and I'm pumped I could be a part of it.
Snoh Aalegra
I had the privilege of running playback for Snoh Aalegra during "The Weeknd" After Hours Till Dawn Stadium Tour. Collaborating closely with the music team, I ensured that all edits were top-notch, contributing to the seamless delivery of unforgettable performances.
The Kid Laroi
I was brought in at the eleventh hour for the kickoff of the "End of the World Tour" with Kid Laroi in Australia. My role was to ensure that rehearsals ran smoothly and on schedule, guaranteeing a seamless start to the tour.
50 CENT
I handled playback duties during 50 Cent's guest appearance at the 2019 NY Rolling Loud, where he shared the stage with A$AP Rocky. It was an electrifying experience being part of such an iconic moment in music.
DRAKE
I worked closely with Drake's team to seamlessly integrate his performance into a special edit of A$AP Rocky's live show at the LA Forum. Handling all aspects of playback, I ensured the performance was flawlessly executed, contributing to an unforgettable concert experience.
Brockhampton
In 2017, I worked closely with Brockhampton to elevate their live show experience. As a dependable Ableton professional, I ensured flawless music playback, captivating audiences with an immersive auditory journey. Managing their playback setup posed significant challenges, especially with the demand for 6 simultaneous autotunes, pushing the CPU to its limits. Despite the obstacles, my determination led us to develop pioneering new software with StrangeElectronic, now widely adopted thanks to advancements in gear technology.
24kGolden
In 2022, I embarked on new projects, including working with 24kGolden to manage playback and autotune for his concerts and live events. In addition to creating special edits for the shows, I also conducted thorough rehearsals with the band, ensuring a deep understanding of the music for seamless performances.
Russ
Stepping in as a playback operator for Russ on his tour through South Africa was no small feat, but I handled it seamlessly, without missing a beat. With years of cumulative experience and honed skills, I'm adept at jumping in at a moment's notice to ensure shows run smoothly from start to finish.
Run The Jewels
I collaborated closely with Run The Jewels DJ, Trackstar the DJ, to transition to an Ableton playback setup equipped with redundant computers, timecode, and click tracks.
Mike Posner
During Mike Posner's US tour, I had the chance to fill in as a playback tech for Henry Strange and Strange Electronic for select dates. Additionally, I've been involved in various one-off shows over the years, including appearances on late-night TV like James Corden.
LANY
I had the privilege of running rehearsals and managing a substantial amount of programming for the LANY live show in preparation for the tour. This involved making numerous adjustments to the CV settings for all the synthesizers. It was a demanding but ultimately fulfilling task to successfully complete the job.
TOOSI
I was responsible for programming Toosi's entire live show, including autotune integration. We conducted rehearsals with the band in preparation for two TV appearances, during which we fine-tuned the performance and created custom live edits for the shows.
Tal Wilkenfeld
I stepped in as a consultant, offering my expertise to address complex playback issues.
Smooky Margielaa
I provided playback support for rising hip-hop artist Smooky Margiella during his opening sets for ASAP Rocky on the Injured Generation tour.
Salem Ilese
I ran playback for Salem's new song featuring Mike Posner on The Late Late Show with James Corden.