How 23dB Productions Is Revolutionizing Audiobook Recording with Focusrite Scarlett 4th GenPictured L-R: Denis Orynbekov, 23dB Productions co-founder and chief engineer; and Fela Davis, 23dB Productions co-founder.

The audiobook boom shows no signs of slowing down—and 23dB Productions is making sure geography doesn’t either. The company has expanded its remote production services into a streamlined audiobook workflow that allows authors to record professional-grade narration from just about anywhere, no studio commute required.

At the center of this operation is the Focusrite Scarlett 4th Generation audio interface, a piece of gear that’s quietly doing a lot of heavy lifting. By pairing intuitive hardware with a highly managed remote workflow, 23dB Productions has effectively turned bedrooms, offices, and hotel rooms into viable recording spaces for authors across the country.

The idea didn’t come out of nowhere. It evolved naturally from the company’s remote podcast services, which gained traction during the pandemic and quickly revealed a broader opportunity. “Our podcast clients started asking if we could help them create audiobook versions of their books,” said co-founder Fela Davis in a press release. “We had already been helping authors on a limited basis, but when we realized how effectively we could manage the entire process remotely, it opened the door to a completely new service offering.”

What 23dB ships out isn’t just a mic and a wish for the best. Authors receive a curated recording kit—complete with a microphone, laptop, and Scarlett interface—along with real-time support from an engineer who remotely monitors each session. The result is a guided experience that feels closer to a studio session than a DIY recording attempt.

According to co-founder and chief engineer Denis Orynbekov, the Scarlett 4th Gen has been a game changer for simplifying what could otherwise be a technically intimidating process. “The ability to control the interface through software allows us to remotely manage critical functions without asking authors to deal with technical settings,” he explained. “Many of our clients have never recorded professionally before, so the simpler we can make the experience, the better.”

The system recently proved its value during the production of former NBA player and coach Bill Cartwright’s audiobook. With a schedule that made traditional studio bookings nearly impossible, Cartwright was able to record on his own time while 23dB handled everything behind the scenes. “The author simply connects to the internet and starts reading,” said Orynbekov. “Meanwhile, we’re managing the session, monitoring performance and making sure we capture the cleanest audio possible.”

For Davis, the appeal of the Scarlett platform goes beyond convenience—it’s about authenticity. “What I love about Focusrite is how accurately it captures the human voice,” she said. “Audiobook listeners want authenticity. Authors want to sound like themselves. Scarlett delivers that natural, transparent sound without adding anything artificial.”

That balance of quality and reliability has been key as 23dB scales its services. Whether working with musicians, podcasters, or first-time authors, the company relies on consistent performance across every session. “We know what we’re going to get every time,” Davis added. “That consistency gives us confidence when we’re recording someone who may be hundreds or thousands of miles away.”

Focusrite, for its part, sees 23dB as a prime example of how adaptable technology can unlock entirely new creative workflows. “We've had the privilege of watching 23dB Productions grow alongside Focusrite for many years, and it's exciting to see how they've continually adapted our technology to meet new creative opportunities,” said Dan Hughley, Director of Marketing, Focusrite Group. “From music and podcast production to today's rapidly growing audiobook market, they've demonstrated that when dependable technology is paired with creative thinking, entirely new business models become possible. We're proud that Scarlett continues to be a trusted part of that journey.”

As for what’s next, 23dB Productions is betting big on the future of audiobooks. With a large percentage of published titles still unavailable in audio form, the runway is long—and their remote-first model is built to meet the moment.

“The audiobook market is still massively underserved,” said Orynbekov. “Focusrite gives us the ability to bring studio-quality production directly to authors wherever they are…without compromising audio quality.”

In other words, the studio hasn’t disappeared—it’s just been shipped directly to your door.The post How 23dB Productions Is Revolutionizing Audiobook Recording with Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

NewJeans face copyright lawsuit from US music publisher over ‘ETA’All Surface Publishing claims "ETA" copied a combination of musical elements from a dance track released nearly two decades earlier, without a license.
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The Hidden Verses That Made Grath Brooks' "Double Live" Album a Country Music BibleGarth Brooks' Double Live wasn't just a record-breaking live album—it became the only way fans could experience his concerts for years. Discover the two hidden verses that turned the album into a legendary piece of country music history.

Done deal: Primary Wave’s acquisition of Kobalt has closedMBW sources close to the deal have confirmed that the acquisition closed on Tuesday (July 7) after passing all relevant regulatory scrutiny.
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Platten’s Diamond Award, SESAC Celebrates Artists Marking over 10 million units sold in the United States, singer-songwriter Rachel Platten receives RIAAA’s Diamond Award for “Fight Song” by Sony Music Publishing, joining Beyoncé, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and others as one of only 25 solo female artists to receive the honor.

[L-R: Jon Platt (Chairman/CEO, Sony Music Publishing), Rachel Platten, Dave Bassett at Sony Music Publishing’s celebration of Rachel Platten]

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Celebrating the SESAC Film & Television Composer Awards, this year’s honorees included Laura Karpman (Captain America: Brave New World), Daniel Lopatin (Marty Supreme) and The Newton Brothers. SESAC’s annual Latina Music Awards honored Kapo, Edén Muñoz, and Sony Music Publishing for global chart successes. Details HERE, Latin HERE.

With growing international efforts, the organization recently established the “John Sweeney Stage” at the Sound City Festival in England, and the John Sweeney Impact Prize for promising new artists, in honor of SESAC’s late Vice President of International and cornerstone of UK’s music community.The post Platten’s Diamond Award, SESAC Celebrates Artists first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

13 Great​ Alter⁠native Rock​ Albums from the L⁠ate 1970s‍The late 1970s‍ is often defined by‌ punk's exp‌losi‌on,‌ but this⁠ list de‍li⁠bera‍te​ly step‌s ou​tsid‌e the strict boundaries of punk rock. What emerged in this era was⁠ something broader and more e⁠xperimen⁠tal: post-‌punk ten‍sion, ele‌ctronic minimalis‌m, art-​rock ab‌s‌tr⁠a​ction, an⁠d new-w‍a‌ve irony​.‌ These albums didn't just re‌flec⁠t the late '70‍s—they​ he​lped define⁠ the sonic blueprint for a⁠lternati‍ve r‌ock in the decad​es that followed.

FILM - TV - THEATER - GAMES: Assassin's Creed, Small Plates Choreography FestivalThe music from Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag has released on vinyl in two formats, a 5LP collector's box set and a double LP set, via Ubisoft and Laced Records. Timed to the announcement of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, both releases featured new cover artwork by illustrator Jeff Langevin alongside archival environment pieces from Ubisoft. Exclusive variants include a blue-disc 5LP and a blue-and-orange double LP, available only through Laced Records. The 5LP includes 79 tracks from Brian Tyler's original score, multiplayer music by The Flight and Christian Henson, popular sea shanties, and Olivier Deriviere's Freedom Cry DLC score. The 2LP features 36 highlights from Tyler's score and a selection of shanties. For more information, contact Greg O'Connor-Read at greg@topdollarpr.com.

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August 1 is the deadline to submit work to The Small Plates Choreography Festival, which is open to both emerging and seasoned choreographers. The November 13 and 14 event in New York entails a series of two curated dance performances with facilitated dialogue between the artists and audience. Learn more about this unique festival and how to apply by visiting smallplatesdance.com/performances/nyc.The post FILM - TV - THEATER - GAMES: Assassin's Creed, Small Plates Choreography Festival first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

CVC Capital Partners to acquire majority stake in DistroKidThe transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Terms were not disclosed.
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50​ Y‌ea⁠rs Ago: 12 Al⁠bum‍s That Defined 1976‍With‍ the Unit‌ed States marking 250 years since the adoption o‍f‍ the Declaration of Indep‌endence‌ this July 4, now is the‍ perfe⁠ct moment to revi⁠sit 1976—the nation's bice‍ntennial year‌—and the cl‌assic alb⁠ums it produced.

Ranking‌ Eve‍ry Bon J​ovi A⁠lbum, From Worst to B​estWith Bon Jovi returning to Madison Square Garden this July, we ranked all 17 studio albums using AllMusic's star ratings — from a 1.5-star contractual obligation to the 4.5-star arena-rock blueprint.

SIRIUS XM’S GLOBAL BEATLES DAY CELEBRATIONNearly six decades after The Beatles introduced “All You Need Is Love” to an estimated 400 million viewers during the groundbreaking Our World satellite broadcast, its universal message found fresh life at SiriusXM’s Los Angeles studios, where a fortunate group of Beatles Channel listeners gathered for an exclusive Global Beatles Day celebration honoring the band’s enduring influence on music, culture and the ideals of peace and unity.

Hosted by Beatles Channel personality and renowned Beatles historian Chris Carter, the intimate event began with a screening of the Fab Four’s unforgettable 1967 television performance before shifting seamlessly to the afternoon’s centerpiece: an imaginative new interpretation of the classic anthem by rising crossover artists Golda Zahra and Vasil. Following the performance, Carter led an engaging conversation with the singers and producer-arranger Steven Mercurio, offering guests an inside look at the creative process behind the recording before graciously posing for photographs with attendees.

Rather than attempting to duplicate one of popular music’s most iconic recordings, the performance explored new terrain by blending contemporary classical sophistication with rock energy. Zahra complemented Vasil’s rich baritone with a commanding vocal performance, effortlessly moving from warm lower passages to shimmering upper register flourishes in a duet built on warm and genuine musical conversation rather than vocal competition. Performing to orchestral backing tracks, the pair delivered a sweeping interpretation that balanced theatrical intensity with heartfelt restraint while remaining true to the song’s enduring spirit.

Mercurio, whose distinguished career includes collaborations with Andrea Bocelli, Sting and The Three Tenors, fashioned an arrangement that expanded the familiar melody into something larger in scale without sacrificing its essential optimism. The orchestral textures provided an expansive backdrop for the singers while preserving the unmistakable warmth that has made Lennon and McCartney’s composition one of the world’s most cherished expressions of hope.

The audience reflected the multigenerational reach of The Beatles’ legacy. Many proudly wore vintage Beatles T-shirts, while others embraced colorful Mod-inspired fashions that paid tribute to the band’s transformative era. Together they celebrated not simply a landmark recording, but the ideals that continue to resonate with listeners around the globe every June 25, the anniversary of the historic Our World broadcast that inspired the creation of Global Beatles Day.

Though the studio session was brief, lasting less than the announced hour, it immediately inspired an appreciation of how naturally the event connected past and present. Through Carter’s insightful hosting, Mercurio’s inventive musical vision, and the compelling artistry of Zahra and Vasil, SiriusXM created more than a commemorative gathering. It offered an affectionate reminder that while generations, styles and voices may evolve, The Beatles’ timeless invitation to embrace compassion, understanding and human connection continues to speak with remarkable clarity.

The live performance was subsequently scheduled to be featured on SiriusXM’s Global Beatles Day special to premiere July 3rd on The Beatles’ Channel, with encore airings throughout July 4th weekend. The special will also be available on the SiriusXM app. 

The post SIRIUS XM’S GLOBAL BEATLES DAY CELEBRATION first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Bella Figura founder Alexi Cory-Smith dies, aged 58Cory-Smith's colleagues at Bella Figura confirm tragic news on social media
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13 Greates​t Sophomore Albums in Music⁠ HistoryFrom Nevermind to Paranoid, these 13 sophomore albums didn't just avoid the dreaded second-album slump — they became the defining records of their artists' careers.

Logan Light joins Warner Music Group as Chief of Staff to CEO Robert KynclLight joined WMG in March according to his LinkedIn profile
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GAVIN TEMPANY JOINS KYLIE MINOGUE’S TENSION TOUR ON SSL LIVE L550 PLUSMonitor engineer Gavin Tempany supported Kylie Minogue’s 2025 Tension Tour using a Solid State Logic Live L550 Plus console, managing complex in-ear mixes, and an extensive communications setup across nearly 70 global shows.

The production combined detailed vocal control, integrated comms routing, and full system redundancy to accommodate the scale and technical demands of the tour.

The post GAVIN TEMPANY JOINS KYLIE MINOGUE’S TENSION TOUR ON SSL LIVE L550 PLUS first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.