Pop Star Kids Party
Invite up to 9 more guests for an extra £30 per child.
Sessions Available Everyday at 10am, 2pm and 6pm.
Health & Safety First
ALT STAGE is 100% open for business, however the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff, clients and their families take priority.
In this respect we have taken a number of measures, based on advice from the UK Government and Public Health England, to ensure everyone passing through our studio is as safe as possible. Please read our Covid-19 Guidelines.
Create a Day to Remember
- 3 hour exclusive professional studio session.
- Record up to 3 of your favourite songs.
- 6 Children age 7+ for only £150.00.
- Invite up to 9 more guests for an extra £30 per child.
- Chaperones go free (max 3) and receive Free Fizz!
- No cancellation fees. Please read our Terms
- Sessions Available Everyday at 10am, 2pm and 6pm.
- Dress to impress and take lots of photos!
- Professionally mastered MP3’s next day download.
Itinerary & Guide
A hassle-free experience
Besides providing a fun and very unique experience, we aim to make our events as effortless as possible so you can relax and enjoy watching your kids record their masterpieces!
Please read the following guidelines to ensure you get the most from your time at ALT STAGE.
Choosing your songs
We recommend booking at least a week in advance so all the participants can learn the songs.
It usually takes an hour or so to record a song, but varies depending on how well rehearsed they are and how they are to be performed, i.e. as one group, or with solos or in smaller groups. With this in mind we recommend choosing between 3 and 4 songs as one or two might not work on the day.
Tip: Choose songs with a strong sing-along chorus that everyone knows. Here’s some examples of songs that work well:
- Firework by Katy Perry
- That’s What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction
- Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson
- Price Tag by Jessie J
- We Are Young by Fun
- Got A Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
- Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars
- Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars
- Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake
- Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
- Roar by Katy Perry
- Symphony by Clean Bandit
- Black Magic by Little Mix
- Shotgun by George Ezra
- Wings by Little Mix
- Mamma Mia by ABBA
Please be aware of the lyrical content of your songs! You may be surprised how risqué and innuendo some can be and we have had a few raised eyebrows (and have even raised our own) when the words are printed out! We can adapt the lyrics in most instances for you, but it’s worth checking them first.
Tip: For their main song it’s always good (we think!) when they each have a line or two of a verse to sing solo (or in pairs for the less confident) and then everyone joins in for the choruses. It’s good if they work this out between themselves in advance of the party so they take ownership of the song and all know what they are doing and have a good chance to practise. We are always here to help so don’t hesitate to ask for advice.
If you know your song choices at the time of booking please enter the title and artist in the field ‘Song Titles and Artists’ on the booking form below. If you have not chosen your songs at the time of booking please let us know your choices by email quoting your order number as soon as possible.
As soon as we know your song choices we can source the backing tracks and lyrics, then email you a link to download them as an MP3 and PDF. We recommend you forward the link to the parents and carers of the other participants as soon as received, so the rehearsals can begin!
The Big Day
The agenda and recording techniques will vary slightly between studio groups, but the information below will give you a good idea of what to expect.
- Please ensure everyone arrives on time but no earlier than 15 minutes before your allocated session start time as we’ll be sound checking and testing all the equipment. It’s often not possible for us to run over your allocated time slot so it’s important that we’re ready to start promptly.
- Plan your route and allow enough time to get to the studio. Ensure you take our contact details with you as per our booking confirmation email to call us if you are delayed.
- Dress to impress! There will be lots of photos to be taken so why not get the kids to dress as their favourite pop star.
- Props, such as inflatable guitars, are a nice touch but can be disruptive for the recording session, so if bringing props, please hide them away until the recording is complete for a photo shoot at the end.
- Once the session begins our engineer will walk the children through their songs. The better rehearsed they are, the more they will get done and more options they will have. We can’t stress enough that everyone really does need to know the songs well in advance. The longer we spend practising gives us less time to record.
- The participants will have words in front of them on the day. Please bring a copy of your words we have sent out, especially if you have made notes on them. Please print them single sided, unstapled and unfolded. They need to sit on a music stand to minimise noise while recording.
Adding guests after booking
Alex write something….
If your names not down…
Please bear in mind that ALT STAGE is a professional, commercial sound recording studio. The equipment we use is first class and very very expensive but unfortunately not at all child proof.
We ask that at least one accompanying adult must remain present throughout the entire recording session. Depending on group size it’s useful to us if there’s 2-3 present just to keep the children in check as they can quite understandably be very excited.
Please do not bring babies or children under the age of 7. A crying baby makes the sound engineer’s job near impossible. Pets are also not permitted on our premises.
Any equipment damaged due to negligence will be chargeable to the event organiser.
We can only accommodate a maximum of 15 children with 3 accompanying adults, so to avoid disappointment please refrain from bringing unlisted guests.
Cancellations
We all know that not everything goes to plan. That’s why if you need to cancel your session for any reason, we will not charge you. We can easily move your session to the next available date convenient to you. Please read our Terms for more information.
Masterpiece download
Once the session has finished our engineers set to work on the post-production of the children’s recordings. By the next working day you will be sent a link to download professionally mastered MP3’s of all the songs.
- All you need to do is share the link with everyone you would like to hear the songs.
A Unique Studio
We are all aware that to help reduce the spread of coronavirus we need to stay apart. Luckily our unique studio lends itself perfectly to social distancing. Our studio used to be a Lloyds Bank and our spacious Live Room, the Vault.
Studio Facilities
The combination of a private entrance, 1 meter thick reinforced concrete walls, CCTV connection to the Control Room and fully adjustable sound treatment, make the ALT STAGE an unrivalled experience in sound isolation.
The ALT STAGE control room is bright and spacious, which can comfortably accommodate eight or more clients plus engineers. Equipped to the highest professional standard the studio has been designed to cope with even the most demanding sessions.
In addition to the Pro Tools HD3 system and C24 control panel the studio also offers Multi screen AV syncing, 5.1 surround sound mixing, top end Mastering and ISDN Broadcast Recording.
Technical Overview
- Digidesign® C|24® control surfaces
- Pro Tools|HD 3 Accel Systems
- Pro Tools® 8 Software
- ISDN – ProntoNet LC+
- A full array of plug-ins inc Waves Gold , V-Series and more
- Genelec 8040s Monitoring
- Extensive selection of backline and synth applications
- Every video format including Quicktime/MPEG, Digibeta/SP/IMX & HD
- Multi-screen visual formatting (42″ LCD and Plasma)
- Dolby Stream delivery
- Allen & Heath GL 32 Track for analogue mixing
ALT STAGE hosts a unique Live Room connected via CCTV to the Control Room. The building used to be a bank and this spacious live room is in fact the old vault. This subterranean room benefits from 1 meter thick reinforced concrete walls. In combination with the fully adjustable sound treatment, this live room offers a unrivalled experience in sound isolation.
Whether laying crisp voice over at extremely low thresholds or attempting to capture the feel of extremely loud live sound of percussion, this live room can be utilised to offer a faultless recording experience. Moveable isolation screens and adjustable reflective tiling are used to ascertain the exact degree of brightness demanded by your precision recording.
ALT STAGE Covid-19 Guidelines
Overview
We are closely monitoring all the advice from the government and will update our guidelines as soon as we make any changes to our business practices.
The guidelines presented here only apply to people who are physically attending ALT STAGE.
We recommend you read the Musicians Union Guidance on Recording session safety advice for freelance musicians during Covid-19.
These guidelines were last updated on Sunday 31st October 2021 @ 10:17 am.
Pre-Visit Requirements
To enable the ALT STAGE team to properly prepare for your visit we need you to confirm:
- The number of people you wish to attend the recording session.
- The contact details for each person attending the recording session.
- That none of your party has or has had COVID-19 symptoms 10 days before your visit.
- That none of your party is from a household where someone is self-isolating.
This information will be collected before you attend your recording session.
Travelling
To protect personnel at ALT STAGE and help reduce transmission in the wider community:
- We ask everybody to follow GOV.UK and TfL guidance, particularly on public transport, when travelling to and from ALT STAGE.
- ALT STAGE does not cover cab charges for engineers or assistants to and from the studio.
Face Masks, PPE & Personal Hygiene
We ask that all clients, crew, visitors & musicians supply their own face coverings or PPE and that face coverings are worn when using the communal areas of our premises during your recording session.
To reduce the possibility of transmission on-site we are providing:
- Sanitising stations and signage at external entry and studio entry points.
- Advisory / guidance hand wash signage in all bathrooms.
- Single use paper towels in all toilet facilities.
- Pedal operated waste bins in all areas.
Please use the Hand Sanitiser provided upon entry and when leaving the studio. We encourage their regular use during your recording session.
Staff Training & Communication
To keep all personnel informed and ensure safe practice:
- All our staff have been briefed thoroughly on hygiene and cleanliness and the increased need to uphold this throughout the studio and in communal areas.
- All our staff members adhere to the government guidelines of isolating themselves for 14 days if they are experiencing any signs associated with Covid-19, we will inform clients immediately if this occurs.
- Signage reminding staff to wipe down kitchen touch points (i.e. kettle handles/coffee machines) to be clearly displayed and antibacterial spray provided to do this.
- Assistants and engineers who are asked to do food runs by clients should not handle cash, payments should be made by card only.
- All our staff are committed to washing their hands at regular intervals, particularly when entering, or re-entering buildings.
Catering
To keep all personnel safe during breaks:
- Kitchen facilities only to be used by ALT STAGE staff.
- No food preparation to be done by clients, all refreshments e.g. tea/coffee to be be made by staff) and clearly marked as such.
- Musicians are asked to bring all food/drink that they require for the day with them.
- Clients and musicians are asked to eat at their seats/station or in space provide outside.
- Musicians are asked to take all their waste/rubbish home with them or use pedal bins provided.
COVID-19 Specific Cleaning
To remove possible contamination of surfaces and equipment ALT STAGE will:
- Disinfect common touch areas, in the morning and throughout the day after session breaks.
- Perform deep cleaning of the studio between projects and sessions.
- Specific cleaning of musician equipment: chairs, headphones, music stands.
- Specific cleaning protocols for personnel responsible for studio equipment.
During Your Recording Session
- You will be responsible for managing your own people, equipment, and activities inside the studio space in accordance with the Government’s requirements for hygiene and distancing procedures.
- Clients to limit the number of people attending sessions to the absolute minimum in order to streamline the number of people passing through the studio.
- If clients are feeling unwell on the day of the session or are exhibiting any signs associated with Covid-19 please do not attend the session and contact us immediately either by email on support@stage.altrecordingstudios.com or call +44 (0) 1273 711 749.
- Session start times are staggered to avoid unnecessary contact.
- All attendees names and contact details to be provided before the session.
- Non-essential parties are able to join the session via Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet.
- Only those on the booking form will be allowed access to the building. Identify may be required.
- Clients are encouraged to bring their own keyboard and mouse to use in the studio if preferred.
- A separate toilet has been allocated to the studio and is clearly signposted.
- In the event of clients not adhering to these guidelines the session may be stopped and clients will be asked to leave the building. In this event the session costs will be non refundable.
After Your Recording Session
If you or anyone who you have brought to the studio develops COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days of the date of the visit, or if you are advised to self-isolate during that period, please let us know without delay.
Should you have any questions on our Covid-19 procedures or require further any information please contact us on support@stage.altrecordingstudios.com or call +44 (0) 1273 711 749 or complete the form below.