---
title: Getting Started with Wing Tools
description: Create an account, upload your first snapshot, and understand Wing Tools basics
---

# Getting Started

This guide will help you start using Wing Tools to document your Behringer Wing mixer configurations.

## What You'll Need

- A Behringer Wing mixer snapshot file (.snap format)
- A modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
- Optional: An account for premium features

## Your First Upload (No Account Required)

Wing Tools works immediately without registration. Here's how to generate your first routing document:

### Step 1: Export a Snapshot from Your Wing Console

On your Wing mixer:

1. Press the **SCENES** button
2. Navigate to your desired scene
3. Press **SAVE** to store the current configuration
4. Connect a USB drive to the Wing console
5. Press **UTILITY** → **Files** → **Export Scene**
6. Select your scene and export to USB
7. The file will be named with a `.snap` extension (e.g., `ShowName.snapshot.10`)

Alternatively, you can use Wing Edit to create a Snapshot and save it to your hard drive.

### Step 2: Upload to Wing Tools

1. Visit [wingtools.theta-tontechnik.de](https://wingtools.theta-tontechnik.de)
2. Read and check the box to accept the Terms of Service
3. Choose your commercial use option:
   - **Non-commercial use**: For personal projects, rehearsals, practice
   - **Commercial use**: For paid gigs, requires donation
4. Drag and drop your `.snap` file onto the upload area, or click to browse
5. Wait for the upload to complete (typically 2-5 seconds)

### Step 3: View Your PDF

Your PDF will automatically open in a new browser tab. The document includes:

- **Metadata Page**: Mixer information, creation date, summary statistics
- **INPUTS Section**: All physical inputs with names, gain, phantom power
- **OUTPUTS Section**: All physical outputs with routing assignments
- **CHANNELS Section**: All channels with their input sources
- **ROUTING TABLE**: Active routing connections (may be disabled)

## Understanding Your PDF Output

### Metadata Page

The first page provides an overview:

```
Mixer: WING-PP-14091119 (wing-rack)
Created: 2025-06-18 14:43:28
Firmware: snapshot.10

Summary:
- Inputs: 152 total
- Outputs: 134 total
- Channels: 48 total
- Active Routes: 156 total
```

This quick reference tells you the snapshot format, mixer model, and configuration scope.

### INPUTS Section

Shows all physical input sources organized by group:

| Group   | Number | Source Name | Mode | Gain (dB) | +48V | Used By |
| ------- | ------ | ----------- | ---- | --------- | ---- | ------- |
| LCL     | 1      | Kick        | -    | 12.5      | ON   | CH 1    |
| AES50 A | 1      | Snare Top   | -    | 8.0       | -    | CH 2    |
| AES50 A | 2      | Snare Btm   | -    | 10.0      | ON   | CH 3    |

**Key columns:**

- **Group**: Physical input group (LCL = local, AES50 A/B/C = AES50 ports, AUX = auxiliary, USB = USB interface)
- **Number**: Channel number within that group
- **Source Name**: Name assigned at the console
- **Mode**: Blank for mono, "ST" for stereo pairs
- **Gain**: Microphone preamp gain in dB
- **+48V**: "ON" if phantom power is enabled
- **Used By**: Which channels/buses use this input (truncated in Free tier)

> **Note**: Free tier shows "Used By" truncated to 10 characters with "..." for longer content. Upgrade to Premium for complete usage information.

### OUTPUTS Section

Shows all physical hardware outputs and what they're connected to:

| Group   | Number | Type   | Connected To | Source Name  |
| ------- | ------ | ------ | ------------ | ------------ |
| LCL     | 1      | Mixer  | MAIN.1       | Main L/R     |
| LCL     | 8      | Mixer  | MTX.8L       | Matrix 8 L   |
| AES50 A | 9      | Mixer  | BUS.1L       | IEM Drum (L) |
| AES50 B | 3      | Direct | LCL.1        | Kick         |

**Key columns:**

- **Type**: "Mixer" for processed outputs, "Direct" for unprocessed patches
- **Connected To**: What this output is patched to (mixer output or direct input)
- **Source Name**: The actual name of the signal being sent

### CHANNELS Section

Shows all mixer channels and their input assignments:

| Ch # | Channel Name | Active Src | Active Src Name | Active Src Type | Other Src | Other Src Name |
| ---- | ------------ | ---------- | --------------- | --------------- | --------- | -------------- |
| 1    | Kick         | AES-A.1    | Kick            | MAIN            | -         | -              |
| 2    | Snare        | AES-B.1    | Snare Alt       | ALT             | AES-A.2   | Snare Top      |

**Understanding alternate sources:**

Each channel can have a MAIN source and an ALTERNATE source. The "Active Src Type" column shows which of those two alternatives is currently selected. "Other Src" shows the values of the other source.

### Page Layout Features

Wing Tools uses intelligent layout for readability:

- **Groups with 8 or fewer items**: Portrait orientation, single column
- **Groups with more than 8 items**: Landscape orientation, 2-column layout
- **Even splits**: 16 items → 8/8, 32 items → 16/16, 48 items → 24/24

This ensures tables remain readable regardless of configuration size.

> **Note**: Premium and Pro users have more Layouting options, for example forcing Portrait mode for all pages.

## Creating an Account (Optional)

While Wing Tools works without registration, you are limited to the Free version without an account. Registering is a prerequisite for the Premium and Pro Tier and comes with no disadvantages.

### Registration Steps

1. Click **Sign Up** in the top navigation
2. Enter your email address
3. Choose a strong password
4. Enter your full name
5. Click **Create Account**
6. Check your email for verification link
7. Click the verification link to activate your account

### Email Verification

For security, you must verify your email address:

1. Check your inbox for "Verify your Wing Tools account"
2. Click the verification link
3. You'll be redirected to the dashboard

If you don't receive the email within 5 minutes:

- Check your spam/junk folder
- Verify you entered the correct email address
- Request a new verification email from the dashboard

## Understanding Subscription Tiers

Wing Tools offers four subscription tiers to match your needs:

### Free Tier (No Payment Required)

Perfect for occasional use or trying out Wing Tools:

- ✓ Basic PDF output (metadata, inputs, outputs, channels)
- ✓ Device Labels (1 device on AES50-A)
- ✓ 5 uploads per day
- ✓ All snapshot formats supported

**Limitations**:

- Input "Used By" column truncated to 10 characters
- Community support only (documentation)

### Basic Tier (from $1.49/mo)

For working audio engineers who need complete documentation:

- ✓ **Everything in Free**, plus:
- ✓ **Routing Matrix** - Visual routing grids
- ✓ **Complete Input Usage** - Full "Used By" details
- ✓ **Source Name Hack** - Advanced naming options
- ✓ **Source Management** - Remap sources between venues
- ✓ **Hardware Inserts** - Insert point documentation
- ✓ 10 uploads per day

### Premium Tier (from $2.99/mo)

For professionals who need interactive visualization and comparison:

- ✓ **Everything in Basic**, plus:
- ✓ **Signal Flow Visualization** - Interactive diagrams
- ✓ **Routing Diff** - Compare two snapshots (full buses/mains/matrices)
- ✓ **Device Labels (Full)** - Unlimited devices, all AES50 ports, StageConnect
- ✓ 100 uploads per day
- ✓ Email support

### Pro Tier (from $5.99/mo)

For power users and system integrators:

- ✓ **Everything in Premium**, plus:
- ✓ **Snapshot Linter** - Automated analysis with 25+ rules
- ✓ **Multi-Mixer Signal Flow** - Cross-console signal tracing
- ✓ **Snapshot Generator** - Create snapshots from Excel/PDF channel lists
- ✓ **AI Analysis** - AI-powered snapshot insights
- ✓ Pre/post fader details and advanced channel configuration
- ✓ Branding removal option
- ✓ 1000 uploads per day
- ✓ Priority support

> **Note**: Pro tier features are currently accessible via Beta access for logged-in users.

## Next Steps

Now that you've created your first routing document, explore:

- **[My Files](02-my-files.md)**: Store and organize your snapshot files in the cloud
- **[Projects](03-projects.md)**: Set up device configurations for Device Labels
- **[Routing Generator](04-routing-generator.md)**: Deep dive into PDF sections and routing matrices
- **[Signal Flow](05-signal-flow.md)**: Interactive visualization of your routing (Premium)
- **[Audio Engineer Guide](08-audio-engineer-guide.md)**: Best practices for naming and workflow

---

**Need help?** Visit our [Reference section](09-reference.md) for troubleshooting tips.