REVIEW IN 'FOCUS MAGAZINE' KENT MESSENGER

'You don't need to be an X Factor winner to get a record deal. Kate Herrington discovered a sound studio at Maidstone that will unleash the popstar in you.
It's fabulous fun!'

We have been invited to road test Hoo-Hah Studios new Be A Popstar! experience which gives everybody, from closet crooners to those just in search of a good laugh, the chance to record their own single in a professional studio.

'What I'd say' says producer, songwriter & studio owner Jonathan 'that with the technology we have here, we can always make people sound really fantastic. Anybody can come along & give it a go.'

The package's appeal may also have something to do with its location. Maidstone Studios is home to primetime ITV show 'Saturday Showdown', plus Vic and Bob's production company, so there's every chance you'll bump into a celebrity in the corridors or canteen. We had only been there a matter of a few seconds before we passed a throng of Harry Potter extras milling about in reception.

The package even attracts celebs & their families. Interior designer Laurence Llewelyn Bowen's daughter has recorded a song there, we heard.

BACKING TRACKS

Claire and I opted to record Girl's Aloud Love Machine, an upbeat pop track. Jonathan played us the backing track he had prepared-it was almost identical to the actual version, complete with drums, futuristic keyboard touches & harmonious backing vocals.

Then it was time to sing. We skipped practicing our scales, although Jonathan does offer coaching or warm ups for those that prefer not to launch into song straight away.

'Usually I judge it on what people want. Some people want to just have a bit of fun & some prefer a bit of coaching, and if they ask for it I'm quite happy to help in any way I can.'

SURPRISED

We could communicate with Jonathan through our headphones & our first run through we got to grips with who was singing what.

It was strange at first, but studio assistant Celia reassured us.

'Sometimes people can be a little nervous to begin with, but once they've run through it a few times they relax,' she said.

No truer words have been spoken. With the music blaring through the headphones & our near perfect privacy, we soon forgot we sounded like the Gibb brothers & put in a valiant effort, singing & even silly dancing.

It's worth mentioning that our third take was virtually a write off as we were laughing so much, & I was quite sorry to hang the headphones up.

The final part of the process involved some serious vocal nipping & tucking using ProTools & highly advanced programme Logic Pro 9.

'Basically it's one of the best music software packages you can get-all the professionals use them,' Jonathan revealed.

Because of its magical capabilities, it's easy to understand why. 'If you were a little bit late with your entry,' he explained, 'I could just cut it & move it to wherever.'

Claire wasn't happy with her lead-up to the chorus, so Jonathan literally copied her better take from the first time around & pasted it to somewhere later in the song.

Our voices also underwent some 'tuning' & our flat notes brought up to pop star standard at the touch of a mouse.

As a personal finishing touch, the song was enhanced with some of our laughter before being burnt onto CD for us to take home.

'I suppose it's an extended gift because once you've got your CD, you can give it to your fans as a present' Jonathan smiled.

Or use it to land that million dollar recording contract!

INCLUDED IN
YOUR SESSION
AT :-


• Any song of
your choice
• Your own engineer & producer
• 3 copies on
CD to take
away!

BE A POPSTAR! Hoo-Hah Recording Studios, The Maidstone Studios, Vinters Park, New Cut, Kent ME14 5NZ

Telephone:-01622 684 621 www.bapopstar.co.uk   www.recordingstudiogiftexperience.co.uk