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Audiobook Production

Scotland's leading audiobook production recording studio
Tilda Swinton. Nicola Sturgeon. Alexander McCall Smith. Scotland's National Makars. This is where great audiobooks are made.

BBC-approved, Royal Mile based, and trusted by the world's leading publishers, we bring the same care to every project, whether you're a debut author or a household name
  • the lonely city by Olivia Laing audiobook produced at offbeat audio
    frankly audiobook art
  • Lanark audio restoration by Iain McKinna
    the lonely city
  • poems annaw by Len Pennie audiobook produced at offbeat
  • winterbourne audiobook
    gravewood audiobook
  • the unfragile mind audiobook
  • ripening audiobook
  • the last witch on the knock audiobook
  • On the Bright side audiobook
  • never lean too far over a cliff-audiobook
    the pilgrim - sas who dares wins audiobook
dk audio logohay house logopan macmillan logo - audiobook production partner at Offbeat Studio Edinburghhodder and staughton logo - audiobook production partner at Offbeat Studio Edinburghpolygon logoaudible logo - audiobook production partner at Offbeat Studio Edinburghcharco press logo audiobook production partner at Offbeat Studio Edinburghhachette logocanongate logo - audiobook production partner at Offbeat Studio Edinburghharper collins logo audiobook production partner at Offbeat Studio Edinburghsaraband logo audiobook production partner at Offbeat Studio Edinburghbonnier books at offbeatrecorded books at offbeatquercas books at offbeat
  • frankly audiobook art
  • Lanark audio restoration by Iain McKinna
  • the lonely city by Olivia Laing audiobook produced at offbeat audio
  • ripening audiobook
  • poems annaw by Len Pennie audiobook produced at offbeat
  • lonely city audiobook v1
  • This House of Burning Bones by Stuart MacBride- Audiobook Production
  • the last witch on the knock audiobook
  • winterbourne audiobook
  • the unfragile mind audiobook
  • gravewood audiobook
Olivia Caw at offbeat audiobook production studio

Full Production Service

Our full audiobook production service  includes:

RECORDING  • EDITING • PROOFING • RECORDING 
• PICKUPS (if necessary) • FINAL AUDIO MASTERING 
• ACX TESTING • CHAPTER METADATA EMBEDDING 
• FILE DELIVERY

First, in order to estimate a cost for the project please send us the word count of your book. If you want 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 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 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
remote audiobook production recording at offbeat-edinburgh to new zealand
jamie crawford narrating his audiobook production in the offbeat booth

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 Master the Audio to Broadcast standard, embed the Metadata in each chapter and test to ACX standard so that your files upload seamlessly to the platform of your choice.

We can normally deliver your files within 7 days of the recording stage of the production being completed.
offbeat edinburgh audiiobook production control room
BBC Approved:

At Offbeat Audio Ltd, situated bang in the centre of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, we specialise in delivering top-tier audiobook production services. Our BBC-approved Edinburgh recording studio ensures your work stands out, providing listeners with a rich and vibrant audio experience. We pride ourselves on working within your schedule and budget.


Creative Atmosphere:

Our studio has been established for 30 years and we have created a  comfortable and creative space which is utilised by a huge range of Publishers and Broadcasters nationally and Worldwide. 

We can also provide an acoustically designed space for those of you want to DIY for your own audiobook production

Trusted by Leading Publishers:

We work with publishers both locally and Internationally as Scotland's premiere Audiobook production house. We bring our expertise working with Radio, Film and TV to enhance your project. 

We also offer full support to self-published authors, many of whom narrate their own work.

Testimonials

What our creative clients say


  • "I never want to record anywhere else but Offbeat when I'm in Edinburgh."
    Tilda Swinton
    "The Lonely City" for Canongate Books
  • "Whether you need to record an audiobook or anything else, I highly recommend Offbeat. They're brilliant."
    Nicola Sturgeon — Former First Minister of Scotland, "Frankly" for Pan MacMillan
  • Poet Len Pennie, waxes lyrical about her experience of working with Offbeat recordist and director Olivia Caw following the recording of her second book of poems for Canongate Books at the studio
  • chitra ramaswamy at offbeat

    Chitra Ramaswami

    AUTHOR AND NARRATOR
    "What an intense, emotionally wringing, and utterly wonderful experience. Thank you".
    jaMIE BYING AT OFFBEAT

    Canongate Books

    JAMIE BYING
    Watching Iain & Tilda working on The Lonely City was a masterclass in audiobook production
    ollie grant 2

    Penguin Random House

    OLLIE GRANT
    "Excellent job! This wasn’t a straightforward record. Hopefully we can work on another title soon! "
  • fiona scott-barratt

    Fiona Scott-Barratt

    AUTHOR
    "Many thanks again for your sterling input to this project, I am utterly delighted with the audiobook recording of The Exit Facility".
    GAIA POGGIOGALLI

    Canongate Books

    GAIA  POGGIOGALLI
    " Iain is excellent at introducing our authors to the basics of 'narrating audiobooks."
    id audio

    Alice Lee


    "Thanks for providing the excellent audio for Sawbones. No issues at all for the edit, which is unusual and very much appreciated."

Get in Touch Today to Elevate Your Audiobook Project

Call Today!
  • harer collins
  • penguin
  • canongate
  • saraband
  • ingram core source

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. 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 it's 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 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?

Yes. We work with a range of experienced narrators and can help you find the right voice to match the tone of your book.

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.

Authors we work with

INCLUDING: OLIVIA LAING - STUART MACBRIDE - DAVINA McCALL - IRVINE WELSH - IAN RANKIN - ALAN PARKS
ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH - KIRSTY LOGAN - CARO RAMSAY - SUZIE EDGE - SARAH BERNSTEIN - HOPE JAHREN  NICOLA STURGEON DR SHARON BLACKIE - ALAN PARKS  ANNA SORTINO -  LEN PENNIE - CHITRA RAMASWAMY  
VAL MCDERMID - CLAUDIA PINEIRO - PETER MACKAY (MAKAR 2026/27) - JACKIE KAY - TOM WOODS 
JOANNA CORRANCE SANDRA BROWN OBE - EWAN MORRISON - LIZ LOCHHEAD

Get in Touch Today to Elevate Your Audiobook Project

Call Today!
  • harer collins
  • penguin
  • canongate
  • saraband
  • ingram core source
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