1. How much does a music production cost?

Each project has different requirements, so once I know how long a song is, how many instruments are involved and what style of music you are making, I can work out a recording schedule and price for your production. A master recording can be affordable when working to a plan.

2. Why do I need a music producer?

Working to a plan can actually save you money in the studio if you are making a record for release — and that’s where a producer comes in. If you have a vision for your music, a producer can make that vision into a sound that suits your style and will work to get the very best recordings out of your musical ideas within your budget. To steer your project to a successful conclusion through every stage of the process from pre-production to recording, mixing and mastering.

3. What’s unique about Offbeat Music Productions?

f you're a solo-artist, singer or songwriter and need musical accompaniment for your recordings, I can provide all the studio facilities and musical support you need to make a great production from start to finish, with musical accompaniment and access to session musicians if required, . If you've written as song on one instrument - or even if you are a lyricist or songwriter who doesn't play an instrument - and you need a full musical arrangement without having to find musicians and rehearse, this is what I do.

4. Can you work in my style of music?

If you have a demo — however rough — of your music then send it in so I can let you know if this is a style we can work in. Offbeat has previously produced music authentically in Rock, Pop, Dance, Hiphop, Jazz, World and Classical styles.

5. I live outside Scotland, how do I work with Offbeat?

We work with artists Worldwide and have devised methods of producing tracks remotely. Check out the Remote Production section to find out more.

6. Can you work using my own recordings?

Yes we can work from your recordings if the quality is good enough. Just send in a version so I can evaluate if we can work from it.

7. Do you do re-mixes?

Yes I can remix tracks either with you attending the session or working remotely.

8. I don’t play any instruments, is that a problem?

No, I often work with singers and lyricists who create melodies that they can sing or hum, and can write music from that.

9. What is a remote recording?

If you live abroad, or in this country, I can still produce music with you. Using Dropbox file sharing technology we can work on recordings with anyone, anywhere in the World that has an Internet connection. Dropbox is free for up to 2 gigabytes of information, more than enough to transfer at any one time. I also use Skype, Zoom, Source Connect and Soundwhale.

10. How long does it take to record a song?

Each song has different requirements, once we know how long a song is, how many instruments are involved and what style of music you are making we'll work out a unique recording schedule together from which we'll be able to estimate a time for the recording.

11. Will you promote my music?

No, Offbeat isn’t a promotion company, that’s the role of record labels and management companies. We work with companies of all kinds in the music business and can sometimes put artists in touch with third parties, but it’s not our principal business.

12. I am a solo artist, can you help with musical accompaniment?

Yes, we can provide all the musical instrumentation you need for your recordings. Go to the Musical Accompaniment section.

13. I am musician who needs a singer on my recordings, can you help with this?

Yes, we can suggest singers that suit the style of your music.

14. Can you help me develop my own music and sound?

Yes, definitely. And collaboration can get amazing results

15. Will you try and change my music?

Not at all. Unless, of course, you want me to. We will no doubt go through a process of discovery to find out exactly what you want to achieve and then help you to make that happen. It’s your name on the record so the music has to represent you 100%.

16 How far in advance do I need to book with Offbeat Music Productions

Once we have found we can work together and that my music production is the right fit for you and that you're music strikes a chord with me, we can look at booking some sessions. Typically this can be from one to three months in advance.

Music Production

Offbeat Summer Playlist 2021

offbeat · Offbeat Summer Playlist 2021

Types of Music Producer

Composer Producer

This type of producer normally works with their own material and self-produces for the mediums in which they operate: Film/TV, Radio etc..

Beat Maker/DJ Producer

This kind of producer is what you would require for creating beats for hiphop, drum & bass, grunge and then recording and mixing for various genres of dance music.

Songwriter Producer

Someone who writes their own material and is able to self-produce to a broadcast standard level.

Executive Producer

This kind of producer usually is in overall charge of the money and is often employed by a label to oversee and keep tabs on the recording budget. This kind of producer doesn’t generally have to have hands on experience of equipment but is able to communicate to a recording engineer how they want the production to turn out.

Musician Producer

At Offbeat, producer Iain McKinna is also a highly experienced recording engineer, arranger, composer, musician and songwriter who will bring the wealth of his knowledge, experience and fresh ideas to your project.

Engineer/Producer

Engineers don’t have to have musical ability but are able to use the equipment in the studio as an instrument. Ideal for artists who want to produce themselves but who perhaps don’t have the technical expertise with studio technology.

Offbeat Music Production

"If you are a singer, songwriter, solo artist, musician, composer or lyricist and you need your ideas to be developed to the max, Offbeat could be just the right fit for you",

Iain McKinna - Head Music Producer at Offbeat

"I've been specialising in producing Singers, Songwriters, Solo Artists and lyricists since starting Offbeat as a music production company in 1992.

Working with both established and up and coming artists, we get consistently great results in my purpose built boutique production recording studio in Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

Save money with a planned recording schedule & budget.

The recording process can be time consuming and expensive, especially if you don't have a plan. I can steer your recording sessions to a successful outcome by working out an agreed budget according to a recording schedule, depending on what you can afford, and achieve the best result

Am I the right producer for you?

The basic criteria is that you like my sound and that your music strikes a chord with me too. Once we have established that we can move ahead.

There are many different kinds of producers and you need to know which is the best choice for your particular project. Some want to be in complete control and expect the artist to conform to their methods of working.

In my view undesirable types of producer are those who exert so much control on your music that it becomes unrecognisable to you. Having all your suggestions shut down is unhelpful and highly unproductive. In the same vein, a producer who offers no guidance and doesn’t warn the artist where things are going wrong isn’t much use either. If the producer isn’t adding anything vital to the project then you might as well be producing yourself!

Being a songwriter myself, I take a collaborative approach and will work closely with you to get the result you want.

My attitude is that it's your name on the record and as such you need a recording that represents exactly what YOU are about.

However, if you are unclear about exactly what it is you want at the outset that's not a problem, I can definitely suggest ways to come to an agreed vision of the production.

What if I need more musicians for my project?

If you've written a song on a particular instrument, or even if you're a singer or lyricist who doesn't play any instruments, we can work together to create the music around your ideas in the style that suits you.

This could involve just you and I working on the project which works well in a lot of cases as I can add several instruments in an arrangement, but if you do need the help of session musicians for instruments and styles that we can't provide between us, I'm in touch with a range of session musicians both locally and from all over the globe who can add any instrument in any style to your recordings, depending on the budget of course.

You can come to the Offbeat Studio, or work with me remotely.

Wherever you are on the planet, if you're not local to our Edinburgh Recording Studio, I can work with you using file-sharing and online platforms like Zoom, Skype, Source Connect and Soundwhale.

I hope you feel you can Contact me with your project to find out if we can work together to make more musical dreams a reality".

Please visit the FAQ section to find out more details

Get in touch to find out about our all inclusive music production costs

Watch this video on how producer Iain McKinna triggers sounds from a noise gate

Music To Lyrics

We specialise in creating original music for lyricists and singers in the style of their choice

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Audio Mastering

If your mixes are complete we can take them to the next level across all mediums using our top of the range mastering tools

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Musical Accompaniment

Professional custom backing tracks created with a range of instruments for your original songs with music for your exclusive use.

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How To Book

Get in touch with us to find out how we can help you make your music dreams a reality

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Music Clients

See who we have worked with

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Offbeat Music Vaults

A One hour radio show put together by the Offbeat team highlighting just some of our music productions

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Testimonials

What artists say about Offbeat Music productions

ALLIE FOX

Guitarist, Singer & Songwriter

“Iain has a genuine enthusiasm for his clients and patience by the bucket-load, and being an accomplished musician himself he adds enormously to the arrangements, both in terms of ideas & playing the instruments. The best pair of ears in the business!”

KHYLUNE

Singer/Songwriter from LA

“Iain was a consummate professional and perfectionist when it came to working on my project. I was consulted with every step of the way leading up to the final product. Definitely not the last project with this incredible producer.”

ROD CLEMENTS

Guitarist with Lindisfarne

“Very enjoyable session at Offbeat – Iain got a great acoustic Dobro sound straight away with minimum fuss. The technology’s all there but equally important is the friendly vibe and comfortable atmosphere.”

KEITH MORE

Guitarist with G3, Tina Turner, Paul McCartney,

"Iain & Kirsty's musical talent, productions and friendly helpful attitude have always been second to none. If you are looking for top notch productions look no further”!!!

LESLEY YOUNG

Canadian Singer/Songwriter

“This was the best recording experience we’ve had together to date! Always enthusiastic, Iain is a talented multi-instrumentalist”.

DAVY PATON

Bass Player with Kate Bush, Elton John & Pilot

“The song and the production is excellent. Nice playing. What a fantastic view from your rooftop. Top class”