Audiobook Production

Edinburgh’s audiobook studio, trusted by major publishers and award-winning narrators

Welcome to Offbeat on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. 

This is where a book stops being just read aloud. 
We help authors and publishers turn a manuscript into something people actually want to listen to.

We’ve recorded Tilda Swinton narrating, and titles by Val McDermid and Alexander McCall Smith, and we bring self-published authors doing it entirely on their own exactly the same level of care.
Humza Yousaf Catherine Simpson Alasdair Gray Chitra Ramaswamy Sandra Brown OBE Ian Rankin Sharon Blackie Olivia Laing Fiona Curnow Caro Ramsay Alan Bissett Polly Atkin Ewan Morrison Claudia Pineiro Dr Gavin Francis Jackie Kay Rachel MacLean Val McDermid Irvine Welsh Stuart MacBride Anna Sortino Nicola Sturgeon Alexander McCall Smith Kirsty Logan Sarah Bernstein Davina McCall Len Pennie Olga Wojtas Liz Lochhead Alan Parks
Audiobook cover
Audiobook cover
Audiobook cover
dk audio logoPenguin Random House → hay house  audiobook production partner at Offbeatpan macmillan - audiobook production partner at Offbeat Studio Edinburghhodder and staughton - audiobook production partner at Offbeat Audio Edinburghpolygon  books audiobook production partner at Offbeataudible logo - audiobook production partner at Offbeat Audio Edinburghcharco press laudiobook production partner at Offbeat Studio EdinburghHachette book group - audiobook production partner at Offbeatcanongate books  - audiobook production partner at Offbeat Studio Edinburghharper collins audiobook production partner at Offbeat Studio Edinburghsaraband audiobook production partner at Offbeat Studio Edinburghbonnier books audiobook production partner at Offbeatrecorded books at offbeat for audiobook recording projectsquercus books at offbeat for audiobook projects
Chitra Ramaswamy Ian Rankin Fiona Curnow Alan Bissett Nicola Sturgeon Olga Wojtas Kirsty Logan Dr Gavin Francis Val McDermid Catherine Simpson Ewan Morrison Sharon Blackie Alan Parks Rachel MacLean Liz Lochhead Anna Sortino Sandra Brown OBE Polly Atkin Stuart MacBride Humza Yousaf Caro Ramsay Claudia Pineiro Davina McCall Alexander McCall Smith Jackie Kay Olivia Laing Irvine Welsh Sarah Bernstein Len Pennie Alasdair Gray

Get in Touch Today to Elevate Your Audiobook Project

Call Today!
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Latest News

the lonely city
The Lonely City
by Olivia Laing 
Canongate Books.
Narrated by Tilda Swinton
Recorded and directed at Offbeat and featured as 
audiobook of the week 
THE GUARDIAN 
June 2026
Under fire by humza yousaf, produced by offbeat audio for little brown audio
We have the great pleasure of producing Under Fire by Humza Yousef which is now available on Audible. 
It tells the harrowing story of how his in-laws were trapped in Gaza while Humza was First Minister of Scotland. 

Full Production Service

Production Values

Clean recording is a given. Punch-and-roll, mic discipline, a quiet room, a narrator kept comfortable through a long day, that's the craft you should expect from any serious studio.

The difference is in what happens around it. Direction and production are where a flat read turns into a finished audiobook, and that's where thirty years across film, broadcast and music tells. It's in the decisions made on every chapter.

Most audiobooks are recorded with no director in the studio. The narrator self-directs, and it often shows. At Offbeat, light-touch direction comes as standard, the kind major publishers usually reserve for their highest-end titles. It's the difference between a book that's been read aloud and one that's been performed.

It all happens here under one roof on the Royal Mile. You don't get a folder of raw files, you get a finished production, mastered to broadcast standard and ready to upload to the platform of your choice.
Offbeat Control Room 1
steve-worsley-at-the-desk

Getting Started

First, in order to estimate a cost for the project please send us the word count of your book. 

If you would like us to do this for you just send us the PDF of your title. We can then advise of the cost based on the estimated finished length of the audiobook.

Although we are not voice actor providers, we can sometimes provide narrators for an audiobook if we think we can suggest the ideal person, and we also are in touch with agents who have access to rosters of narrators.

New Narrators

If you are the author and this is your first audiobook narration, we can offer lots of useful advice on how to prepare for your recordings. We include this service for both publishers and self-published authors.

You can't busk an audiobook narration and it's important to be match fit for your sessions. We firmly believe if the recording process is enjoyable for you, your experience will transmit to the listener too.

READ THIS ARTICLE we specially created for introducing new narrators to the world of audiobooks.

We also offer a VO & Audiobook Showreel Service

Nicola Sturgeon reads a short extract from Frankly

Humza Yousaf reads a short extract from Under Fire

Arrange Your Recording Sessions.

Our target for a day's narration in the studio is in the range of 30,000 words.

Our Producer/Director  will be reading along with you every step of the way, making sure you are comfortable, and gently guiding the sessions along so that you have the best possible experience.    

We provide a range of hot drinks including herbal teas we have specially concocted to keep your throat in good shape.

Editing, Mastering & File Delivery

Once the recording process is complete we will proof the narration before mastering the audio to broadcast standard. Then we will embed the Metadata in each chapter and test to ACX standard so that your files upload seamlessly to the platform of your choice.

If any pickups are required a further session is included.

We can normally deliver your files within 7 days of the recording stage of the production being completed.

If you are an independently published author and you are unsure which route to go when it comes to distributing your audiobook upon completion READ THIS BLOGPOST
ian rankin at offbeat

Record 'only' service

If you don't need the full audiobook production service we can simply record the project at the studio for you to edit and produce the recording yourself.

Some publishers prefer to work this way and our recording engineer can mark up the script for your editor in the conventional way. 

We can either record using the punch and roll method, or fluff and repeat. Contact Us to find out about our hourly rate for the recording only service
You can also hire a soundproof booth and record yourself here at Offbeat. We can provide from a range of professional microphones to suit your voice.

If you're not local to Edinburgh, you can come and stay right next door to the studio for the duration of the recording. 

We have a self contained apartment right next door to the studio in the Royal Mile with its own acoustically designed day-lit booth with amazing rooftop views over the old town and Calton Hill. 

FAQ

If you have any questions at all that are not answered here, own wish to go ahead and book your audiobook session, please don't hesitate to...
...Contact Us

How much does it cost to produce an audiobook?

Costs for full production are based on the finished length of the audiobook, usually estimated from your manuscript word count. Send us your word count or a PDF and we’ll give you a clear, no-obligation quote. 
To record only, we charge per studio hour

Can I narrate my own audiobook?

Yes. Many authors narrate their own titles at Offbeat. We provide coaching and guidance to make sure you’re prepared and comfortable before stepping into the booth.

I’ve never narrated before — will you help me?

We offer advice on preparation, pacing, and vocal care. Our producer/director works with you throughout recording to make the process smooth and enjoyable.

Do you supply professional narrators if I don’t want to read my own book?

Although we are not voice actor providers, we can sometimes provide narrators for an audiobook if we think we can suggest the ideal person, and we also are in touch with agents who have access to rosters of narrators.

How long will it take to record and deliver my audiobook?

On average, we record around 30,000 words per day in the studio. Post-production (editing, mastering, proofing, ACX testing, and metadata) is usually completed within 7 days after recording.

Can you handle ACX/Audible technical requirements?

Yes. We master all files to ACX standard, embed metadata, and deliver files ready for upload to Audible, Amazon, or your chosen platform.

Do you offer recording-only services?

Yes and we can mark up the script to pro standards for your editor following the session(s)

What if I’m not based in Edinburgh?

Subject to availability, you can stay in our self-contained apartment next door to the studio, complete with its own acoustically designed booth and stunning rooftop views of the old town. Remote recording options are also available.
Recording Editing Proofing Pickups Final Audio Mastering ACX Testing Chapter Metadata Embedding RX Processing File Delivery Recording Editing Proofing Pickups Final Audio Mastering ACX Testing Chapter Metadata Embedding RX Processing File Delivery
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