52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast

How Much Music Theory Does a Producer Really Need? (with Dr. Tim Stulman)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave talks with Dr. Tim Stulman, Program Director for Music Production at Full Sail University and creator of Keyboard Kafe, about how much music theory producers really need, why basic keyboard and ear-training skills can reduce friction in the creative process, and how a little practical musicianship can go a long way when writing production music.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JtSSFgLMVWQ

Check out Keyboard Kafé and get 3 months free!
https://keyboardkafe.web.app/promo/52cues

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com
It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry!

Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams, cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries.

One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching!

Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 35

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Weekly Feedback - Week 35
https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-35
How Would You Start a Composing Career in 2026 (with Anne-Kathrin Dern)? | 52 Cues Podcast #283
https://my.52cues.com/posts/how-would-you-start-a-composing-career-in-2026-with-anne-kathrin-dern-52-cues-podcast-283
Office Hours
https://my.52cues.com/events/office-hours-104215339
Understanding Library Contracts | Workshop
https://my.52cues.com/events/understanding-library-contracts
Orchestral Chat Club
https://my.52cues.com/events/orchestral-chat-club-102528723
Live Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday)
https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-105502797
A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave
https://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-105573228
Live Feedback and Critiques (Thursday)
https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-105502874
Hip-Hop Tension #4 | Composing Livestream
https://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-4-composing-livestream

Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zJLQy2ipnN8

How Would You Start a Composing Career in 2026 (with Anne-Kathrin Dern)?

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, film and game composer Anne-Kathrin Dern joins Dave to talk about how she’d start a composing career in 2026, including the differences between film, games, and production music, the changing role of composer assistants, and the practical steps she’d take to break into the industry today.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/49hI7_Ch81w

https://annedern-filmcomposer.com
https://www.youtube.com/@AnneKathrinDernComposer

We Asked Anne-Kathrin Dern About Her Brutal Composer Advice | 52 Cues Podcast #282
https://youtu.be/rYF_xun27Ec

How Hard Is it to Make a Living in Production Music? | 52 Cues Podcast #278
https://youtu.be/-owQEUH26js

Is Production Music Worth It in 2026? | 52 Cues Podcast #279
https://youtu.be/L9gJYZC8330

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 34

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Weekly Feedback - Week 34
https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-34
Office Hours
https://my.52cues.com/events/office-hours-104215323
Live Feedback and Critiques (2 Hr Session)
https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-2-hr-session-100942283
A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave
https://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-105573217
Minimal Percussion Dramedy | Brief Info & Cue Review Session
https://my.52cues.com/events/minimal-percussion-dramedy-brief-info-cue-review-session
Dark Sci-Fi Tension | Publisher Deliverables
https://my.52cues.com/events/dark-sci-fi-tension-publisher-deliverables
Hip-Hop Tension #3 | Composing Livestream
https://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-3-composing-livestream
Throwback Hip-Hop for RRHOT | Submission Round
https://my.52cues.com/events/throwback-hip-hop-for-rrhot-submission-round
Understanding Library Contracts | Workshop
https://my.52cues.com/events/understanding-library-contracts

We Asked Anne-Kathrin Dern About Her Brutal Composer Advice

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, film and game composer Anne-Kathrin Dern joins Dave to talk about her recent brutally honest composer advice, how her own career has evolved, and how she actually gets hired.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rYF_xun27Ec

https://annedern-filmcomposer.com
https://www.youtube.com/@AnneKathrinDernComposer

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 33

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/72TYUpvBsys

Weekly Feedback - Week 33
https://my.52cues.com/posts/95668894
Office Hours
https://my.52cues.com/posts/104215320
Live Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday)
https://my.52cues.com/posts/105502768
A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave
https://my.52cues.com/posts/105573210
Live Feedback and Critiques (Thursday)
https://my.52cues.com/posts/105502851
Hip-Hop Tension #2 (Part 2) | Composing Livestream
https://my.52cues.com/posts/104215491
Uplifting Indie Pop Tasking | Final Submissions
https://my.52cues.com/posts/104143332
Minimal Percussion Dramedy | Brief Info & Cue Review Session
https://my.52cues.com/posts/105462573
Throwback Hip-Hop for RRHOT | Submission Round
https://my.52cues.com/events/throwback-hip-hop-for-rrhot-submission-round
Understanding Library Contracts | Workshop
https://my.52cues.com/posts/106066053

I Wrote 8 Cues in a Week and Didn’t Burn Out

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave reflects on what he learned from spending an entire week focused almost exclusively on writing music, and how simplicity, flow state, and avoiding constant context switching helped him finish eight cues without feeling completely burned out.

What this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OgxxwlznTWg

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 32

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Weekly Feedback - Week 32
https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-32
Office Hours
https://my.52cues.com/posts/103906733
Q&A and Cue Review with Chuck Henry (10 West Music)
https://my.52cues.com/events/qa-and-cue-review-with-chuck-henry-10-west-music
Live Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday)
https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-105502734
A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave
https://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-105573156
Live Feedback and Critiques (Thursday)
https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-105502820
Hip-Hop Tension #2 | Composing Livestream
https://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-2-composing-livestream
Uplifting Indie Pop Tasking | Revision Round
https://my.52cues.com/posts/104143305
Throwback Hip-Hop for RRHOT | Submission Round
https://my.52cues.com/events/throwback-hip-hop-for-rrhot-submission-round

Have You Outgrown Your Composer Workflow?

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave talks with Pibox founder and CEO Ivan Talaichuk about the point where Dropbox, email, and spreadsheets stop being enough and what production music composers can learn from the way professional music teams manage feedback, revisions, cue versions, and collaboration.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5p2apQqacwU

Find out more about Pibox:
https://pibox.com

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 31

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Weekly Feedback - Week 31
https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-31
Office Hours
https://my.52cues.com/posts/103906733
Orchestral Chat Club
https://my.52cues.com/posts/102528677
Live Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday)
https://my.52cues.com/posts/103575429
A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave
https://my.52cues.com/posts/87969750
Live Feedback and Critiques (Thursday)
https://my.52cues.com/posts/103575252
Hip-Hop Tension | Composing Livestream
https://my.52cues.com/posts/103492316
Uplifting Indie Pop Tasking | Revision Round
https://my.52cues.com/posts/104143305

Is Production Music Worth It in 2026?

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In part two of their response to Anne-Kathrin Dern's brutally honest career advice, Jeff and Dave look at the money, the workload, the lifestyle, and the growing guru culture, to answer the question every production music composer eventually has to face: is production music worth it?

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/L9gJYZC8330

A Rant About Brutally Honest Career Advice by Anne-Kathrin Dern
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y06R6sOc5bs

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 29

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Weekly Feedback - Week 29
https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-29
Office Hours
https://my.52cues.com/events/office-hours-103906725
How Hard Is it to Make a Living in Production Music? | 52 Cues Podcast #278
https://my.52cues.com/posts/how-hard-is-it-to-make-a-living-in-production-music-52-cues-podcast-278
Live Feedback and Critiques (2hr Session)
https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-2-hr-session-100942269
The NFL on CBS 2026 | Deliverables
https://my.52cues.com/events/the-nfl-on-cbs-2026-deliverables
A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave
https://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-87969750
Countdown Tension | Brief Info & Cue Review Session
https://my.52cues.com/events/countdown-tension-brief-info-cue-review-session
Hip-Hop Comedy #2 (Part 2) | Composing Livestream
https://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-comedy-2-part-2-composing-livestream
Uplifting Indie Pop Tasking | Submission Round
https://my.52cues.com/events/uplifting-indie-pop-tasking-submission-round

How Hard Is it to Make a Living in Production Music?

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave and Jeff use Anne-Kathrin Dern’s recent composer reality-check video as a jumping off point to discuss how hard it really is to make a living in production music.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/-owQEUH26js

A Rant About Brutally Honest Career Advice by Anne-Kathrin Dern
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y06R6sOc5bs

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 28

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Weekly Feedback - Week 28
https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-28
Free Workshop! From Sketch To Screen (with Jeff Hargrove)
https://my.52cues.com/events/from-sketch-to-screen-with-jeff-hargrove
Live Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday)
https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-103575379
A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave
https://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-87969750?instance_index=20260715T160000Z
Live Feedback and Critiques (Thursday)
https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-103575202
Hip-Hop Comedy #2 | Composing Livestream
https://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-comedy-2-composing-livestream
Orchestral Christmas | Results and Final Submissions
https://my.52cues.com/events/orchestral-christmas-results-and-final-submissions
Countdown Tension | Brief Info & Cue Review Session
https://my.52cues.com/events/countdown-tension-brief-info-cue-review-session
Uplifting Indie Pop Tasking | Submission Round
https://my.52cues.com/events/uplifting-indie-pop-tasking-submission-round

How Sketching Makes Writing Cues Easier

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, community mentor Jeff Hargrove explains why a simple piano sketch can make writing cues easier before production takes over.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xXiCWzwo3TU

Be sure to join us for Jeff's free Sketch to Screen Workshop, July 13 at 4p ET!
https://my.52cues.com/events/from-sketch-to-screen-with-jeff-hargrove

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Our Most-Used Plugins for Production Music

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave and community mentor Jeff LaPlante share their most-used instruments, tools, plugins, and effects to help production music composers build a dependable toolkit without wasting money on plugins you might not really need.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_pIAgPHp760

PLUGINS, SOUNDS, AND LIBRARIES DISCUSSED

SOUNDS AND LIBRARIES

Omnisphere
https://www.spectrasonics.net/products/omnisphere

The Unfinished Omnisphere Soundsets
https://www.theunfinished.co.uk/store/

Splice
https://splice.com

Serato Sample
https://serato.com/sample

The Fame Series: Modern Pop
https://www.ilio.com/the-fame-series-modern-pop

ProjectSAM Symphobia
https://projectsam.com/libraries/symphobia

Native Instruments Komplete
https://www.native-instruments.com/en/catalog/komplete/

EFFECTS

Melodyne
https://www.celemony.com/en/melodyne

Logic Pro Sample Delay
https://support.apple.com/guide/logicpro/sample-delay-controls-lgcef18b8738/mac

Logic Pro Stereo Delay
https://support.apple.com/guide/logicpro/stereo-delay-controls-lgcef18b892f/mac

Logic Pro Compressor
https://support.apple.com/guide/logicpro/compressor-overview-lgcead9636ef/mac

Fender Studio Pro X-Trem
https://www.fender.com/products/fender-studio-pro

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Vienna Synchron Stage Reverb
https://www.vsl.co.at/products/software/synchron-stage-reverb

Waves TrueVerb
https://www.waves.com/plugins/trueverb

Soundtoys Little AlterBoy
https://www.soundtoys.com/product/little-alterboy/

Soundtoys MicroShift
https://www.soundtoys.com/product/microshift/

The God Particle
https://cradle.app/products/the-god-particle

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How to Learn Orchestration Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Philip Johnston returns to explain how Orchestration Recipes makes complex concepts more practical, what Volume 6 brings to everyday orchestral writing, and where AI may fit into the future of composition and virtual performance.

Orchestration Recipes Vol. 6 is out now!
https://orchestrationrecipes.com

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Your Cue Got Accepted! Don't Blow the Deliverables.

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode Dave and community mentor Jeff LaPlante break down production music deliverables, including mixes, stems, cutdowns, file naming, metadata, loudness, and the common mistakes that can make an accepted cue harder for libraries and editors to use.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yIXUIyolKRk

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Dave Answers Your Production Music Questions

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave answers your production music questions including generative AI, following up with libraries, pitching albums professionally, recovering exclusive cues, building a sustainable sync catalog, and why the tools you use matter when revisions and deliverables are part of the job.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Inside a 52 Cues Cue Breakdown

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave pulls back the curtain on 52 Cues with a look inside a cue breakdown, showing how composition, structure, arrangement, and production choices all work together in a finished cue.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YfOLFtiPIig

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Is Using Loops "Lazy?"

Thu, 28 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave and Jeff discuss whether loops and samples are lazy, how samples can be transformed into original production music cues, and why legal usage still doesn’t always protect you from Content ID headaches or library concerns.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PFoHpTAsHbo

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Brutally Honest Advice from a Library CEO (Chuck Henry, 10 West Music)

Thu, 21 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode Chuck Henry, founder and CEO of 10 West Music, shares brutally honest advice for production music composers on pitching libraries, preparing clean deliverables, avoiding lazy loop usage, and writing cues that actually serve editors and supervisors.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4m7ZUa0aPaw

Links:

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Stop Pitching and Start Building Relationships

Thu, 14 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave and community mentor Greg Fellman share five practical networking tips for production music composers, from building real relationships to following up and being ready when opportunities show up.

Denver Composers Collective - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433710441750662

Sync Meetup Austin - https://www.facebook.com/syncatx

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MAHozCY7fRk

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Can AI Help Get Your Cues Signed? (with Alan Lazar)

Thu, 07 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m joined by composer, library owner, and PMA vice chair Alan Lazar to talk about ethical AI, production music submissions, and whether tools like TrackTrove.ai can help human composers get their cues heard.

https://tracktrove.ai
https://alanlazar.com

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FatgvGSr9_s

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Composers, You Need a Second Brain

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave is joined by 52 Cues mentor Mary Shaw to talk about building a “second brain” for composers, getting ideas and tasks out of your head, and creating systems that help future-you stay focused, organized, and more productive.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z9xOGoM7CnQ

Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte: https://amzn.to/42GFZEg

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Why Good Music Isn’t Enough in Sync

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave and Jeff LaPlante talk about the non-musical skills that can make a huge difference in the sync business.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7ARhc9dohm4

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Stop Using Spreadsheets for Metadata with Cuemonic

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave is joined by Jesse Carrigan to talk about Cuemonic, the metadata tool he’s building for composers and publishers, and why this unglamorous part of the business matters more than most of us realize.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lRdh5l8OhxM

https://cuemonic.com

Use code 52CUESPOD and get 1 month free each year you stay subscribed to Cuemonic, which means 12 months for the price of 11.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Inside the Production Pipeline of Warner Chappell

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave sits down with Warner Chappell Production Music’s Dave Milne to talk about what libraries really look for in composers, how the production pipeline works behind the scenes, and what it takes to turn great cues into truly usable, professional music for clients.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PvFd3b2yT78

https://www.davemilnemusic.com
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8687247
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-milne-music
https://www.keenwidget.com

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What It Takes to Score a Network Game Show

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m talking with Timothy Andrew Edwards and Tim Mosher about how they landed the music for Nate Bargatze’s Greatest Average American and what it really takes to score a network game show.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dP71SNhtENo

Greatest Average American on ABC: https://abc.com/show/a0f061ad-bc3e-49f4-926f-40f80f8c7090

Evil Genius: https://www.facebook.com/groups/877961207308818

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How Do You Actually Go Full-Time in Production Music?

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode Dave is joined by Steven McDonald to talk about how he went from posting music on YouTube to landing major placements, why he writes fast and doesn’t throw ideas away, and the honest truth about the freedom, pressure, and discipline it takes to make this work for real.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WqfsFl0hLrY

https://www.stevenmcdonaldmusic.com/music

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Biggest Sync Mistakes We’ve Ever Made

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave and Jeff LaPlante share some of the biggest sync mistakes they’ve made, from technical blunders and bad deals to mindset traps and missed opportunities.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iR7q0SAklBQ

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What Non-Drummers Get Wrong About Programming Drums

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Dave is joined by community ambassador and drum educator Michael Reschke to break down the biggest mistakes non-drummers make when programming drums.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qMSUlzL6iZA

Connect with Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelreschke1

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How Do Composers Find New Libraries?

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Dave and Jeff break down practical strategies for finding new production music libraries, building relationships, and pitching in a way that gets you taken seriously in the sync industry.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kMeLqJJlOYI

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

TV Composer Reviews Your Production Music Cues Live!

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode I review cues from the 52 Cues Community!

Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/1hgYh8PZaRg

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Let's Talk Trailer Music (with Randon Purcell)

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, trailer composer Randon Purcell breaks down what it actually takes to write modern trailer music, from massive structure and signature sounds to trends, placements, and surviving in a saturated market.

Fallout Music Group: http://falloutmusicgroup.com
Randon’s Trailer Course (Hybrid Orchestral Composition and Sound): https://www.masterthescore.com/course/hybrid-orchestral-composition-and-sound
Brand X Music: https://brandxmusic.net

Brand X Music x Fallout Music Group Composer Competition

Brand X Music is launching a brand-new composer competition in collaboration with Fallout Music Group and they're looking for fun, snappy, modern promo cues built around Fallout’s new Promo Horns instrument and sound pack.

Up to 3 winning tracks will be selected for a future Brand X Music album.

Submission Guidelines:

Must be completely original, unreleased, and 100% AI-free
Length: 1:30–2:00
Written specifically for modern promo use
Must feature Fallout’s Promo Horns instrument & sound pack
Deadline: Midnight (MST) on March 5, 2026

Grab Promo Horns here:
https://falloutmusicgroup.com/products/promo-horns

Submit your cue to: info@falloutmusicgroup.com

Winners will be notified via email and announced on social media.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Do I Just Suck at Workflow?

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, me and 52 Cues mentor Mary Shaw unpack why “bad workflow” is often a misdiagnosis and how simple project management tools can make writing and delivering cues feel far more doable.

Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/kEP9Ixeesfg

Getting Things Done by David Allen - https://amzn.to/49ZFIRB
Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte - https://amzn.to/4rxRIQ6
Essentialism by Greg McKeown - https://amzn.to/46ngzhj
Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky - https://amzn.to/3ZmgvKX

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What New Composers Get Wrong About Sync

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Jeff Hargrove and I talk about the early mistakes new composers often make when stepping into production music – from chasing plugins and genres to overlooking the fundamentals that actually move the needle.

Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/RSM5S5sPFpQ

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Building Better Work-Life Balance

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

This week, Greg Fellman and I talk work-life balance and how routines, boundaries, travel, burnout, and community can actually recharge you instead of distracting you.

Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/IVm4dxN1SWQ

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Production Music Industry Quietly Changed

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Jeff LaPlante and I talk about how production and library music has changed in the last decade, why authenticity matters more, and how streaming has shifted the royalty game.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6gPapVS1b5o

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Your Influences Are Louder Than You Think

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Jeff LaPlante joins me as the first co-host of 2026, and we’re talking about influences – the obvious ones, the weird ones, and the ones you don’t realize you’re borrowing from.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/veX7p3hbjlE

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

I Wrote Fewer Cues in 2025. Should I Be Worried?

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Mrs. 52 Cues and I wrap up the year by looking honestly at what worked, what didn’t, and how 2025 shaped both my writing life and the evolution of 52 Cues. We also lay out what’s coming in 2026 – new podcast formats, mentors, masterclasses, community changes, and a clearer vision for building a sustainable creative life together.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

I Use The Same Mixing Method on Every Cue

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, I walk through my entire mixing and mastering process from beginning to end using a real indie pop cue as the example. We zoom out and talk about building a repeatable, genre-agnostic approach to mixing that helps you work faster, trust your decisions, and get consistent results across any type of cue.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2qh9iEGdERQ

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Office Hours with Prof. Dave

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Dave opens up live office hours for an Ask Me Anything session. Topics range from PRO royalties and cue output expectations to writing tension versus upbeat cues, epic versus non-epic styles, synth tools, sample libraries, monitoring setups, and sustainable work life balance as a composer.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Inside the A&R Mind (with Farnell Newton)

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, I’m joined by trumpeter, educator, and Marmoset A&R lead Farnell Newton for a conversation that tackles some of the biggest pain points composers face in the sync world. We talk about what actually catches an A&R rep’s ear, why organization and deliverables matter just as much as great writing, and how real human performances still rise above the noise in an AI-heavy landscape.

Plus, we listen to a new Indie Pop/EDM cue!

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/PGCTF-s3eYE

https://farnellnewton.com
https://www.instagram.com/farnellnewton
Farnell's Book on Sync - https://syncyoursound.com

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How to Write True Crime Tension Cues

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at the true crime corner of the light-tension spectrum where I’ll walk you through the sounds, the pulses, and the gritty textures that push this style right up to the edge of ominous tension.

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Dc4c5bXRJK0

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

I Said This Isn’t Art… Was I Wrong?

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, I revisit the bold 2021 statement that what we do in production music isn’t art and ask if that still holds up in the age of AI. I talk about how technology has shifted the production music world and if the artisan mindset still matters.

Plus, we’ll take a listen to my latest hip-hop dramedy cue, "Resting Witch Face."

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/cU1VJ5S47jQ

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Meet the Exec Who Decides Which Cues Get Used

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode I am joined by Emmy and Mark Award–winning composer and Head of Production at Warner Chappell Production Music, Scott Reinwand, and we chat about how composers can stand out in a crowded catalog.

Plus we listen to a recent trip hop tension cue, "Remains to Be Seen."

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/ZShsnfsbLzw

https://warnerchappellpm.com

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The PROs Say Yes to AI Music. Should You?

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I unpack what ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN’s new policy on partially AI-generated works means for production music composers. We’ll talk about where the line is between using AI as a creative assistant and letting it compose for you, what this shift means for publishers and libraries, and whether the “stink of AI” will ever really go away.

Plus we take a listen to a brooding intrigue cue, "Crisis Me a River."

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/pIELNVxo73Q

https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/ascap-bmi-and-socan-announce-alignment-on-ai-registration-policies

https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/ascap-bmi-and-socan-will-now-accept-registrations-of-partially-ai-generated-musical-works/

https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/can-ai-generated-content-be-copyrighted-heres-what-a-new-report-from-the-us-copyright-office-says1/

https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/germanys-gema-launches-ai-charter-laying-out-legal-and-ethical-principles-for-artificial-intelligence-in-music/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

A VIP Tour of 52 Cues

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Ever wonder what really goes on inside 52 Cues? In this episode, I’m unpacking how the community works, what each space is for, and how it all ties together to help you grow as a production music composer.

Plus, we listen to another tension cue for Shark Week on Discovery!

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/GhXZ-toijh0

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Why Conferences Matter (PMC 2025 Recap)

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

This week, Shannon joins me to unpack her very first Production Music Conference – what it’s really like to meet the 52 Cues community in person, how one simple meetup turned into a full-blown Hollywood party, and why personal connection is still the real currency in this business.

Plus we listen to a new investigative tension cue for Shark Week on Discovery!

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/8PMrtlhRzpw

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Level Up Your Pitches with Reelcrafter 2.5

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Sam Hulick and Sara Pocius from ReelCrafter return to talk about the brand-new ReelCrafter 2.5 update, what’s new under the hood, and how it helps composers pitch smarter and present their music professionally. Plus, we’re unveiling a new feature for the Friends and Family of 52 Cues!

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/qeE7b2WqcN8

https://www.reelcrafter.com/52cues
Use code 52CUESSA for your first 2 months free!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Secrets of Tasking Cues

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we’re unpacking tasking cues – the music that underscores moments of focus, pacing, and process in reality TV and beyond. We’ll talk about what makes them work, where they’re used, and break down one of my own inside the DAW.

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/wzAwYf4O9x8

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What Does "Editor-Friendly" Mean?

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I unpack what it really means to write an editor-friendly cue. We’ll look at the six essentials that reduce friction in the edit bay and I'll walk through a Shark Week investigation cue I recently wrote and put it to the test.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2FoaMZuqekk

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Writing Melodies That Work

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I unpack my approach to writing melodies that really work inside production music cues. I walk through how I build motivic ideas, how modes shape the emotional color of a phrase, and how static melodies can create forward motion without getting in the way.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mTf90xoGIdc

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Unlocking the Secrets of Reference Cues

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I share a simple framework I created to help composers break down and study reference cues. You’ll learn how to listen for the musical elements that shape mood and emotion and how to extract those details so you can use them as a blueprint for your own cues!

Plus we check out a new Trip Hop crime tension cue, "Hard of Red Herring."

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/U-tL_t2OvBw

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Must-Know Tips for Music Conferences

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I share practical tips for navigating music conferences without feeling overwhelmed. From what to bring and how to prepare, to approaching networking in a way that builds real connections at events like PMC, the Taxi Road Rally, or any industry gathering!

Plus, we listen to a new ominous intrigue cue, "Shanks for the Memories."

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k0NGPyYsMrU

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How to Write Investigative Tension Cues

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we’re unpacking investigative tension cues – those cerebral, clue-assembling moments that show up everywhere from crime and dating shows and house hunting reveals.

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/yMJaUS776yQ

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Vacation Fails & Life Lessons

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Mrs. 52 Cues joins me to talk about our recent vacation that started with noisy cabins, wrong turns, and even a dropped pizza. But somewhere between the chaos, the hang gliders, and the quiet mountain mornings, we discovered some unexpected lessons about life and what it means to be a composer.

Plus, we take a listen to an Italian-infused hip-hop comedy cue, "Leave the Cannoli."

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Kj4DX4IoxrM

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Prep Like a Chef: The Composer’s Mise en Place

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I show how the French cooking concept of mise en place can streamline your cue-writing process. You’ll learn five practical steps to get organized, work faster, and hit deadlines – plus, I feature my dark, ominous tension cue, "From Inside the House."

Watch this episode on YouTube

https://youtu.be/VB8Jy_jHLo0

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The 4 Stages of Learning Any DAW

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this week’s episode, I compare learning a new DAW to learning a new language – and share where I’m at in my own journey toward “speaking” Ableton Live fluently. Plus, I feature a new reggaeton-meets-comedy hip hop cue.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pEN_lE0HZyo

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Chomp and Circumstance

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m joined by band director and composer Brandon Psenicka, whose eerie reimagining of the classic graduation march – complete with creepy vocals from his own daughter – took first place in our recent Composer Quest!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/OFSRYuqc6TI

https://brandonpsenickamusic.com

https://www.jwpepper.com/s?q=psenicka&fuzzy=0&operator=and&facets=fuzzy%2Coperator&sort=score_desc&page=0

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Your Sync Questions, Answered!

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m playing submissions from our latest Composer Quest – “A Whole New Light,” and then we open things up for a live Q&A. We talk stems and deliverables, SoundCloud ads, mastering workflow tips, library contracts, and even whether or not you should leave your computer on overnight.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/H9uHTZcDNg4

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

5 Failures That Kill Your Creative Output

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the unexpected breakdowns that threaten to bring your entire creative process to a halt. Plus, Dave features “Thoughts and Prayers,” a recent ominous tension cue written for a documentary.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/SHb9GCqSlyg

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How I Think About Light Tension

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m again leaning into my professor side to break down one of the most widely used styles in production music: light tension. From tasking and corporate cues to investigative and true crime textures, we’re unpacking the entire light tension spectrum.

Plus, I feature one of my latest hip hop comedy cues, "Cat Gotye Tongue."

Watch this episode on YouTube

https://youtu.be/dbivibZBwac

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Sync Terms You Should Know (But Were Afraid to Ask)

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this week's episode, you're invited into Professor Dave’s classroom as I break down the sync music terms every composer should know – but might’ve been too embarrassed to ask. From PROs to button endings, we’re clearing up the jargon. Plus, I share a no-pizzicato dramedy waltz from my latest Discovery album.

Watch this episode on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/aV1txmoFwCA

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Give Your Cues an Edge That Beats AI

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I explore one simple, yet powerful way to make your cues stand out in a world where AI is getting better by the minute. Using my latest dramedy cue, “Of Mice and Mensa,” as a real-world example, I unpack a creative habit that adds realism, nuance, and authenticity – giving your music an edge the machines just can’t match.

Watch this episode on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/gp_vsawIZL8

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Composers, It’s Time to Leave SoundCloud

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I talk about why SoundCloud just might be too risky for production music composers. From AI policy concerns to publishers turning away cues hosted there, is it time to pull the plug? Plus, I share Optimist Prime – a dramedy cue written without a single pizzicato string.

Watch this episode on YouTube

https://youtu.be/y7BWQ5ZiuIc

Ask Dave Anything (LIVE)!

Fri, 30 May 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m answering your questions live – from piano mixing and cue layering strategies to how many libraries you should pitch to at once. We also cover reversion clauses, B sections in dramedy and sports cues, and pitching etiquette.

Watch this episode on YouTube

https://youtu.be/OOW6O_b9ims

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Why Your Metadata (Probably) Sucks (with Mrs. 52 Cues)

Thu, 22 May 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m joined by Mrs. 52 Cues (Shannon Kropf) to talk about the one thing composers love to avoid: metadata. We’ll unpack why it matters, where we go wrong, and how to stop sabotaging our own discoverability.

Plus I feature a brand new playful dramedy cue with no pizzicato strings!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/Rqhy-npPH0k

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Pomp and Circumstance – Composer Quest LIVE!

Fri, 16 May 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we host a live listening party for our latest Composer Quest: Pomp and Circumstance, where 52 Cues community members were challenged to reimagine the classic graduation march in any genre they wanted – from orchestral to ska, cinematic trailer to chipmunk glitchcore.

Vote for your favorites at https://52cues.com/vote!

Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/Mj_xxGFzjn8

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Even More Inconvenient Truths About Production Music

Thu, 08 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

From rejection to relationships, I unpack five more hard truths every production music composer needs to hear, but probably hasn’t. Plus I feature a recent Indian-infused world hip-hop cue!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/ef1lMcXViHo

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Four "C's" of Success

Thu, 01 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I break down the Four C’s of Success – a practical framework to help composers stay clear, creative, and on track from start to finish.

Plus I feature a new investigation tension cue and give my thoughts on a psychedelic rock cue from 52 Cues member, Fraser Macdermid.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/9tmb-sy3Qps

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

These 5 Small Choices Can Mean Huge Growth

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m sharing five small daily choices, plus a bonus one, that can quietly shape your growth and long-term success as a production music composer.

Plus I feature one of my cues that I KNOW you've heard before, and I give my thoughts on a soft tension cue from 52 Cues member, keschkau.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/MTUbptGy5R0

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

An Editor Tells Why Great Cues Get Cut! (with Biagio Messina)!

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, veteran TV producer and editor Biagio Messina joins me to talk about how cues actually get used in real-world productions – and what composers can do to make their music easier to work with.

Plus I feature a new uplifting corporate rock cue and give my thoughts on a TV Drama cue from 52 Cues member, James Oakden.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/aJPTw3zD4yc

Joke Productions
https://jokeproductions.com/biagio-messina/

IMDB
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0582144/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

These Climbers Made the Summit of Expedition 52!

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m joined by composers who completed the 2024 Expedition 52 composer quest – a year-long challenge to write one cue and give one piece of feedback every single week. We talk about what they learned, how they stayed motivated, and how consistency helped them grow!

Plus, I’m sharing a new positive ambient drone cue and I'm reviewing a dark tension cue from 52 Cues family member, George Cicci!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/VC0QnRG0rT0

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

They Went From Returns to Real Placements (with Michael Reschke)!

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Michael and Yuka Reschke were doing everything right… but still felt stuck. In this episode, we talk about what changed, how they found their lane, and how they pushed through when quitting seemed easier.

Plus, I’m sharing a new epic rock collaboration and I'm reviewing an emotional cinematic cue from 52 Cues member, Simon Armitage.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/CbSzsfqpVEs

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

This Dramedy Cue Gets Placed Over and Over!

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m breaking down one of my most placed cues to show what makes a great dramedy cue – and why this quirky genre continues to deliver consistent placements.

Plus, I’m sharing a new introspective piano cue and reviewing a modern electro funk cue from 52 Cues neighbor, Corey Dee!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/MmAFNkRt6bE

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Stop Overthinking Chords with This Simple Tool!

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Struggling with chord choices or feeling overwhelmed by music theory? I’m sitting down with Chordii co-founder Ian McClellan to talk about how this simple tool can help take the guesswork out of harmony.

Plus, I’m sharing a new intrigue with hope cue and reviewing a pulsing tension cue from 52 Cues Family member Daniel Rose.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/dxzWXS2Ro-c

Get your own Chordii at https://chordii.com, and use code 52CUES to get 20% off!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Can Samples Save This Hip-Hop Cue?

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Sometimes a cue just needs a little extra something, so in this episode, I’m jumping into the DAW, opening up Splice and Serato Sample, and showing my real-time process for using loops, one-shots, and sample chopping to enhance a hip-hop cue.

Plus, I feature my last Modern Comedy cue and I share my thoughts on a reflective piano cue from 52 Cues Family member, Cory Lavine.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/GjpZLaNW0WA

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

7 Keys to Great Collaborations

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Teaming up with other composers not only lightens the workload, it pushes you creatively and can open doors to opportunities you wouldn’t have on your own. But collaboration only works when it’s done right, so today we’re talking about seven keys to successful co-writing and how to make sure your next collab is a win-win.

Plus, we listen to another modern comedy cue for Discovery Channel, and I share my thoughts on melancholic tension cue by 52 Cues member, Phil Pelateri.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/tMMwCMd-bkM

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Reworking, Repurposing, and Reinventing Your Cues with SCAMPER

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Feeling like all your cues are starting to sound the same? In this episode, we’re talking about the SCAMPER model, a simple but powerful creativity tool that can help you rethink, reshape, and repurpose your music so you can work smarter and keep your ideas fresh.

Plus, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on an epic trailer cue by 52 Cues Friend David Gates and featuring my latest modern comedy cue for Discovery Channel.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/afc5hr1QSH8

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Do Sync Composers Need Branding? (with Andy Gesner)

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this week's episode, I’m joined by Andy Gesner of HIP Video Promo to talk about why personal branding is becoming harder to ignore – and how production music composers can build a presence without feeling like they have to become content creators.

Plus, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on an electronic disco/funk cue by 52 Cues Friend Darko Malcevic and featuring a new contemplative tension cue I've recently written for the Masters!

https://www.hipvideopromo.com
http://youtube.com/@HIPVideoPromo
https://www.instagram.com/hipvideopromo

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/RTCKOIgaPbE

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Production Music Q&A – LIVE!

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this week's episode of the 52 Cues Podcast, we're doing a live Ask Me Anything session! I answer questions about sync licensing, production, and composition!

We talk about the US Copyright Office's AI ruling, the importance of adding human elements to cues, and what genres are in demand. I also share my approach to mastering stems, how much you can expect to earn with 500 cues, and a simple stereo widening trick using sample delay.

Plus, we talk drum mic techniques, my electronic kit setup, and, of course, cats. Because every composer needs a cat.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Oxmq4dhidcs

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The State of AI in 2025 (with Timothy Andrew Edwards)

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this week's episode, I’m welcoming back Timothy Andrew Edwards to talk about how AI is already affecting gigs, contracts, and the production music industry – and what composers need to do to protect their careers. Plus, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on a cinematic tension cue by 52 Cues Friend Russ Westfield and featuring a new modern comedy cue I've recently written for Discovery Channel!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/O0k6W9dk-8s

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How to Stay Grounded When Sync Feels Overwhelming

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Today we’re talking all about how the ancient philosophy of stoicism can help production music composers stay grounded, focused, and resilient in the unpredictable world of sync licensing.

Plus, I share my thoughts on a dark fantasy cue written by OG 52 Cues member, Enrico Caporale and feature an intrigue with hope cue of my own.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/S91wDbJSKrQ

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Sync Trends for 2025 (with Timothy Andrew Edwards)

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0500

This week, I’m joined by production music heavyweight, Timothy Andrew Edwards ,to talk about the trends shaping 2025 – from the growing demand for vocal cues to why tension music still reigns supreme and how composers can stay ahead of the game. Plus, I share my own ominous crime tension cue, “Read Between the Crimes,” and give feedback on a neoclassical action cue from 52 Cues friend, Colin Moseley!

Please help people affected by the 2025 California Wildfires by visiting https://redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a donation. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.

https://www.instagram.com/taemusic
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-andrew-edwards-769088a

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/LyRpkvGLW2c

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How To Work Smarter, Not Harder

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, I’m sharing six practical strategies to help you streamline your workflow, save time, and stay creative – from reusing sounds and organizing your library to simplifying your mix and using reference cues for structure. Plus, I review Timothy Ackerman’s cyberpunk cue, "Circuit Breaker!"

Do you want to have your cue reviewed on the podcast? Click here to submit your cue for consideration: https://my.52cues.com/posts/74389385

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Looking Back on 2024 and What's Ahead for 2025

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500

On this final episode of the year, I’m reflecting on 2024 – the milestones, lessons learned, and highlights from both my personal journey and the 52 Cues community. Plus, I’ll share a sneak peek into what’s coming in 2025 and the goals I’m setting for the year ahead!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/nlpIut1QVlY

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The 3 Keys to a Long (and Happy!) Career

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Feeling stuck on what you should be writing? This week, I’m unpacking three keys to building a sustainable and fulfilling career in production music. Plus, I’ll break down my latest NuDisco-inspired cue, Funk Salad Annie!

What this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/8Wv4nxo1v-w

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Why Does it Take So Long to Get Paid?

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

From concept to cash, I’m breaking down the complete timeline of a production music cue so you’ll know exactly what to expect on your path to those sweet royalty checks.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/vVyK-ZvJ20s

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What Defines the "Mood" in a Cue?

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0500

In today's episode, Dave's talks about mood, and he unpacks how he communicates emotions in his cues by shifting three primary musical elements.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/fVSKlQLLI40

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

It's Episode 200! What Have I Learned?

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0500

In this epic 200th episode, Dave shares lessons learned from four years of the 52 Cues Podcast, working towards sustainability, growth, and embracing imperfection.

Watch this on YouTube
https://youtu.be/puqtb1FP0P0

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Understanding Ominous Tension

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we revisit the art of crafting ominous tension cues as Dave explores the harmonic and rhythmic techniques behind these cues, emphasizing drone-based harmony, slow-moving melodies, and evolving layers.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/_pCP9_MPm7M

Friends and Family, join us for the Dramedy Writing Workshop!
https://my.52cues.com/posts/71524272

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Is Originality Overrated?

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Dave questions whether originality is overrated in production music, suggesting that unique expression matters more than being entirely original. He discusses techniques like modeling and referencing to meet industry expectations while staying creatively fulfilled.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/aM5E-wY0rq8

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How to Use Transition SFX

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Dave breaks down the art of using SFX like booms, risers, and sweeps to enhance transitions in a cue, demonstrating his approach live on a recent hip-hop track.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/JkeKZQazOLI

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Collaboration is King (with Dale Grisa)

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave welcomes Detroit-based pianist and composer Dale Grisa about his journey from performing thousands of gigs to creating production music and collaborating with top musicians!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/v4SutVFN0Ag

https://www.dalegrisa.com

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Ask Me Anything!

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400

It's time for another 52 Cues live Q&A! In this episode, Dave Kropf tackles questions from the community, including whether it’s safe to upload tracks to SoundCloud if they’re already on Spotify, how many cues you need for a sustainable income, and the best way to approach bigger libraries. Plus, thoughts on using tempo changes in cues and the importance of synths in modern production music.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/FtCNXfO3QgE

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Conferences, Colons, and Storms (Oh My!)

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In today's very special episode of the 52 Cues podcast, Dave welcomes back Mrs. 52 Cues herself, Shannon Kropf, for a discussion about the whirlwind of the past few weeks. No cues, no production music topics this week – just conferences, colonoscopies, and (2!) hurricanes!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/72ZdCTpx0Yo

00:00 - Introduction and Welcome Shannon!
03:57 - Dave’s Travel Anxiety
08:46 - Reflecting on the PMC
19:27 - Dave Tries to Get Home
37:05 - Being a Grown-Up About Health
50:06 - Riding Out Hurricane Milton
1:05:15 - Lessons Learned

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

One on One with Jason Graves

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave chats with BAFTA-winning composer Jason Graves, known for his work on blockbuster games like Dead Space, Tomb Raider, and Call of Duty: Warzone. They reminisce about their college days and explore Jason's journey from percussionist to leading industry composer, discussing his creative process and the evolution of game music!

Music Composition for Games Course
https://elvtr.com/course/music-composition-for-games

https://jasongraves.com/

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/lfp3Qrv2pJY

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Writing Epic Hip-Hop for Sports

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave breaks down his epic hip-hop sports broadcasting cue, "All Up In This," revealing how to create tracks that resonate across various sports platforms. He also shares his eventful week—from preparing for the upcoming Production Music Conference to handling a last-minute request from CBS that didn't go as planned. Stay tuned until the end to hear "Only Ever Onward," nd uplifting trailer cue that took four weeks to complete!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/VvHU7dS7QQ4

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Christmas In July Winners!

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave sits down with the winners of the Christmas in July Composer Quest: Jenny Goodspeed, Simon Tong, and Ralph Oleski. They discuss their award-winning tracks, their journeys into the world of production music, and how feedback and community have shaped their creative processes.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/jFwT47fWCiU

Ralph Oleski
Website: RalphOleski.com

Simon Tong
Website : tongy.co.uk
SoundCloud : soundcloud.com/simonjtong

Jenny Goodspeed
Website: jennygoodspeed.com
Instagram: @jennygoodspeedmusic

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Cue Review – LIVE!

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this special live podcast episode, Dave reviews cues written by the 52 Cues Community!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How To Use Story Beats to Structure Trailer Cues

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave explores the fascinating connection between storytelling and music structure, particularly in trailer cues, and he breaks down how narrative beats, like those found in novels or movies, can apply to the form and structure of production music.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/RVx-NaQLazM

Save The Cat! by Blake Snyder
https://amzn.to/3AHyNxj

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What Makes a "Good" Cue?

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave unpacks the essential elements that make a cue truly stand out in the competitive world of production music. He explores the often-overlooked qualities that can elevate one cue above another and the fundamental components that every professional cue must have.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/_y3L1FBkCj4

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How Do I Stay So Positive?

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave shares four key strategies he relies on to maintain a positive mindset, even when the music industry throws its toughest challenges his way. He explores practical approaches to staying resilient, from navigating rejection to pushing through setbacks.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/UPxRlnp6Urg

The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield
https://amzn.to/46OwmF0

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Christmas In July Composer Quest Live!

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we host a special live voting session for the Christmas in July Composer Quest, where participants' cues are showcased across three categories: Classic Christmas Magic, High-Energy Holiday, and Acoustic Christmas. Join us as we listen to the submissions, and the community votes on their favorites, with winners receiving exciting prizes and opportunities for music library placements.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/hH1MzvYc5-A

Vote now at https://www.52cues.com/vote!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How PROs Support Composers (with Erin Collins, SESAC)

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the 52 Cues Podcast, Dave welcomes Erin Collins, Senior Vice President of TV/Film and Creative Services for SESAC, to discuss her journey from high school musician to senior executive. They explore the evolving music industry, including streaming, AI, and SESAC's initiatives to support underrepresented composers.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/dUN4gSifSEA

https://www.sesac.com/employee/erin-collins/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2997074/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erincollinsmusic/

SESAC’s Reel Change Grant Program
https://newmusicusa.org/program/reel-change-film-fund

How PROs Work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_nm83BVRqc

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Are Production Music Composers Going Extinct?

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss the impact of technology and AI on the production, library, and sync music industry, drawing parallels to the career of Academy Award-winning animator Phil Tippett. We explore the extinction of various aspects of sync over the past decade, highlighting the real need to adapt and evolve.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Gy1lymTRVno

My Life In Monsters: Meet the Animator Behind Star Wars and Jurassic Park
https://youtu.be/VTGQ_K0DBPo?si=1xP9W35rK2wCKB-5

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How To Use Your Superpower (with Nathan Toft)

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Nathan Toft, winner of the What's Your Superpower Composer Quest, shares his journey into production and library music. He discusses embracing his trombone superpower, recording challenges at home, the limitations of virtual instruments, and breaking out of a creative rut.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/2h1WF-HTnO0

Connect with Nathan!
nathantoft.ca

Funny Bone Street
https://likha.sourceaudio.com/album/10859312

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Understanding Orchestral Articulations

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we're digging into orchestral articulations in the DAW. We'll be exploring BBCSO, which features a wealth of fantastic articulations, and examining the string, brass, and woodwind sections. I'll demonstrate and unpack various articulations, providing you with insights into their sounds and potential uses.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/7_q_ELFfH5c

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Getting Into Film Scoring (with Scott Mclaughlin)

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0400

For many, including myself, film music remains the Holy Grail. While I love writing production music for libraries, scoring to picture is a rewarding and challenging pursuit that I aspire to.

So joining me today on the podcast is 52 Cues family member Scott McLaughlin, who is venturing into film music. We discuss his upcoming projects, how he balances production and film music, which skills transfer, and the challenges he faces.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/_VzD5eB2cyc

Connect with Scott!
www.scottmclaughlinmusic.com
https://scottmclaughlinmusic.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/scottmclaughlinmusic

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How to Play the DAW Like an Instrument

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I discuss why I believe the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is an instrument and how treating it as such can enhance our creative flow. By learning, performing, and practicing the DAW the same way we would with a traditional instrument, we can compose better and faster and reduce the friction between having an idea and expressing it through our tools!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/BVVBXA53Xnk

00:00 - Intro & welcome
02:00 - Weekly check-in
15:00 - Main Topic: How To Play Your DAW Like An Instrument
20:04 - #1: Mastering the fundamentals
23:40 - #2: How to start expressing yourself
26:08 - #3: Manipulating your DAW in real-time recording
29:59 - #4: Practicing the DAW like an instrument
34:20 - #5: Building a repertoire with templates
37:09 - #6: The importance of critical listening
41:29 - How to join the 52 Cues community
42:50 - This week's cue: "Truth Serum"
46:42 - Outro

SEIDS - https://www.youtube.com/@SEIDS_

Record Companies Suno and Udio
https://bit.ly/4eIuLE2

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Production Music Is A Team Sport

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0400

So I had a crazy idea: what if I invited Family members from the 52 Cues community to come to my house and spend the weekend hanging out and sharing life? Well, this past April, 12 members flew from around the work to join me in Orlando where we cooked, made music, talked shop, and even recorded a podcast episode discussing the importance of community and relationships in production music.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/gZ-9K9lFavs

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

More Inconvenient Truths About Production Music

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave shares five more "Inconvenient Truths" for sync composers, including insights on how to stand out in an increasingly competitive industry, and reveals some hard-to-hear realities every production music composer should know.

Plus, we reveal the winner of the "What's Your Superpower" Composer Quest, and Dave talks about rekindling the spark with drumming.

Watch this Episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/zVkvio6pfi8

First Episode: The Inconvenient Truths About Production Music | 52 Cues Podcast, 2022 Week 35
https://youtu.be/-TPllxYYFUg

A.I. - Time To Throw In The Towel??? by @TheCrowHillCo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhkdpnD-jFc

More from Michal Sinka
http://michalsinka.com

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What's Your Superpower? Composer Quest Live!

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0400

The quest: showcase your particular, extraordinary abilities! Whether your strength lies in crafting compelling rhythms, enchanting melodies, masterful mixing, innovative sound design, or anything in between, in this episode we listen to the 10 submissions and you get to vote!

Voting is open through June 9!
https://www.52cues.com/vote

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/ZTnDzugndvw

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

I Got Copyright Notices for Using AI Loops

Thu, 30 May 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Now, I know what you're thinking—you’re probably sick of hearing about AI. I know I’m sick of talking about AI and the constant handwringing about it, but recent events have brought AI screaming to the forefront.

During a recent live stream, I used Sumo AI to generate a custom reference track, but after the session, I was hit with not one, not two, but four copyright notices for the same section of the AI-generated drum loop.

Yeah, we've got some things to talk about.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/GKIdKILYkZQ

00:00 - Intro & welcome
02:00 - Main Topic: Copyright Strikes For AI-Generated Content
05:04 - What is Suno?
07:12 - My track: "Thick As Thebes" and the AI-generated reference track
12:03 - Copyright strikes - what happened?
27:09 - Using AI responsibly
31:03 - What can we do?
35:38 - How to join the 52 Cues community
37:01 - Outro

The Great Convergence: When Games, Film, Animation, and Technology Meet | Full Sail University
https://www.youtube.com/live/9PQQyWITCOE?t=1080s

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Sync Gems, Part 2 (with Roy Matz)

Thu, 23 May 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the 52 Cues Podcast, Dave continues his interview with Roy Matz of the Sync Gems podcast and Roy discusses the challenge of overcommitting and the importance of authenticity in the sync industry. He shares how his passion for superhero movies fuels his music career and reflects on balancing creative expression with commercial demands.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/gItND8GfkRM

Sync Gems Podcast
https://roymatz1.podbean.com

Roy on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@MATZ302

Roy's Website
https://roymatz.com

Roy's Original Gems Sample Pack!
https://www.roymatz.com/store/original-gems-vol1-sample-pack

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Sync Gems, Part 1 (with Roy Matz)

Thu, 16 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the 52 Cues podcast, we chat with Roy Matz of the Sync Gems podcast about his transition from beatboxing to music production and the importance of authenticity in the industry. We explore personal growth, recognizing when to move on from past identities, and the significance of setting goals.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/8XJwSmHrxeQ

00:00 - Intro & welcome
02:23 - Weekly check-in
06:32 - Main Topic: Mutual Interview With Roy Matz Part 1
12:21 - What is life like as a professional beat-boxer?
15:53 - How has beat-boxing translated to production music?
19:49 - 52 Cues and music publishing
26:05 - The "fire to teach" and pursuing our true musical identity
42:43 - Coming up in part 2 of the interview
44:04 - How to join the 52 Cues community
45:26 - This week's cue: "Light As A Feta"
47:20 - Outro

Sync Gems Podcast
https://roymatz1.podbean.com

Roy on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@MATZ302

Roy's Website
https://roymatz.com

Roy's Original Gems Sample Pack!
https://www.roymatz.com/store/original-gems-vol1-sample-pack

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Production Music Q&A LIVE!

Fri, 10 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this live Q&A episode of the 52 Cues podcast, Dave tackles questions on the importance of reference tracks, offering tips on using them creatively while analyzing harmonic structures, instrumental textures, and rhythmic languages. He also talks about LUFS targets for quiet music, layering strategies for various cue types, managing low-end frequencies in hip-hop, the impact of AI on music, and the evolving role of analog vs. digital equipment.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/2l7ttjV7pw0

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

5 Career Lessons I Learned from Star Wars

Thu, 02 May 2024 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave Kropf explores lessons from Star Wars that can be applied to production and library music. He discusses the importance of using references effectively, the developmental journey from novice to expert, and the balance between artistry and commercial viability.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/7yFNZFZ7uqk

00:00 - Intro & welcome
01:28 - Weekly check-in
08:03 - Main Topic: 5 Career Lessons I Learned From Star Wars
10:31 - #1: The force is all around us
19:04 - #2: You progress from Padawan to Jedi master
26:35 - #3: There must be balance in the force
33:23 - #4: There will always be trench runs
38:34 - #5: We need someone in our lives who say "no"
48:58 - How to join the 52 Cues community
50:24 - This week's Expedition 52 cue
53:06 - Outro

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What's Your Superpower?

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the 52 Cues podcast, we explore "superpowers"—those innate skills that emerge naturally and effortlessly. We talk about recognizing these abilities, understanding their value, and applying them effectively within the production music industry to ensure both success and personal fulfillment in your career!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/8dEbZDy3OgE

00:00 - Intro & welcome
05:36 - Weekly check-in
12:12 - Main Topic: What's Your Superpower
25:30 - Finding your superpower and leveraging it for production music
36:03 - What if your superpower isn't production music friendly?
38:10 - How we deal with our "Kryptonite"?
44:13 - The "What's Your Superpower" composer quest
47:00 - How to join the 52 Cues community
48:03 - This week's Expedition 52 cue
50:24 - Outro

Join the "What's Your Superpower" Composer Quest going on now at 52 Cues!
https://my.52cues.com/spaces/13451427

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Habits of Success (with Jelle Dittmar)

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:00:00 -0400

Tune in as Dave Kropf hosts music producer Jelle Dittmar in a dynamic episode of the 52 Cues Podcast. Explore how online networking catapulted Jelle into a major album deal with an LA music library, plus uncover the secrets to forging lasting industry relationships.

Learn about the role of live elements in music production, advances in remote collaboration technology, and Jelle's dedication to mentoring the next generation of talent. Perfect for composers at any stage, this episode is packed with actionable insights to fuel your musical journey.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/NTwgRCS-4SA

Find Jelle Dittmar online: https://www.jelledittmar.com

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Parkinson's Law and Composers

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Parkinson's Law states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion. In this episode, Dave discusses how this concept applies to the world of production music, and how it impacts efficiency, decision-making, and creativity in music production.

Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/5i2nXHdbh6I

00:00 - Intro & welcome
02:02 - Weekly check-in
09:49 - Main Topic: How Parkinson's Law Impacts Composers
12:15 - #1: Efficiency
15:36 - #2: Decision making
17:27 - #3: Productivity
18:57 - #4: Motivation
21:53 - #5: Creativity
25:08 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Evolving in the Music Industry (with Timothy Andrew Edwards)

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, composer and publisher, Timothy Andrew Edwards, shares insights from his journey in production music, emphasizing the role of networking, creativity, and organization. He discusses balancing work with personal interests and the need for multiple income streams. Join us as we discuss the importance of standing out through originality, effective organization, and building trust in the industry.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/CZl_U3IzDW0

00:00 - Intro & welcome
01:53 - Weekly check-in
09:06 - Main Topic: Interview with Timothy Andrew Edwards
23:28 - Thoughts on building industry relationships for folks starting out
31:14 - The importance of coaching and mentoring
40:50 - How can composers balance quantity and quality?
48:40 - The challenges of work / life balance
55:19 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Reach out to Tim via email
tae at theteam-llc dot com

Tim on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com

Tim on IMDb
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1597994

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Let's Talk Sync Agents (with Chuck Milan)

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

On this episode, I welcome Chuck Milan who shares insights into the evolving role of sync agents, music libraries, and the legal intricacies involved in music production and distribution. We chat about the challenges and strategies for artists looking to navigate the sync licensing landscape, and Chuck shares his perspective on the balance between artistic integrity and commercial viability along with the future directions of music licensing.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Z29vCV5qJs0

Milan Marketing
https://milanmarketing.net

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

From Pews to Production Music (with Jeff Hargrove)

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave welcomes Jeff Hargrove back to the podcast. They catch up on Jeff's progress in the past year, including his success in getting placements on CBS Sports and signing with multiple libraries, along with his experience starting a YouTube channel and the next steps in his career!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/35vAVbOW188

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Where Are Your Bottlenecks?

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dave explores some common bottlenecks that can impede our workflow and creativity. From finding motivation, choosing the right sounds, to mastering the technicalities of music production, Dave helps you navigate these obstacles, including setting routines, utilizing music briefs, and managing the balance between creative and technical tasks.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/VitSKTQ8ofE

00:00 - Intro & welcome
01:52 - Weekly check-in
11:23 - Main topic: Where are you getting stuck?
12:55 - #1: Motivation
17:05 - #2: What should you write?
24:06 - #3: Choosing your sounds
30:15 - #4: Musical form and structure
37:42 - #5: Mixing and mastering
43:51 - #6: The tedious minutiae of the business
48:07 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Cymbal Slice Composer Quest LIVE!

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0500

The quest - create a cue with the provided bowed cymbal samples, much like a sushi chef expertly prepares their ingredients!

This challenge encouraged participants to slice, dice, stretch, and creatively manipulate the samples in any way imaginable, transforming these sounds into something uniquely theirs, and showcasing their ability to innovate and design sound with precision and creativity.

Voting is open through March 10!
https://www.52cues.com/vote

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/agcNaFTRIqA

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

We Need To Talk About AI... Again

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500

In this week's episode of the 52 Cues podcast, we dive back into the topic of AI, spurred by OpenAI's recent release of their text-to-video engine, Sora, which presents both stunning and unsettling advancements in AI-generated content. Dave reflects on the rapidly evolving capabilities of AI in creative industries and stresses the importance for composers to elevate their craft beyond the low-effort, easily replicable content that AI is beginning to master.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/4dpVR2I4pV4

00:00 - Intro & welcome
01:45 - Weekly check-in
11:31 - This week's topic: We Need To Talk About AI... Again
12:01 - AI-generated video is here
18:44 - Who could be affected by AI-generated music first?
27:21 - How should we handle the advent of AI in music?
37:11 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

OpenAI Sora
https://openai.com/sora

Will Artificial Intelligence Ever Replace Composers?
52 Cues Podcast, 2022 Week 28
https://youtu.be/DEW5fAjfM3Y

AI Generated Videos Just Changed Forever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXpdyAWLDas

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
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Hacking Music Theory with Music Interval Theory

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome Frank and TC from the Music Interval Theory Academy, who introduce a groundbreaking approach to music composition. By focusing on a three-step composing process that veers away from traditional music theory, they offer new creative strategies and methods that not only challenge conventional composing techniques but also opens up a world of innovation for composers and musicians alike!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/9TI9jeddzt8

00:00 - Intro & welcome
02:05 - Weekly check-in
10:35 - Frank and TC from The Music Interval Theory Academy
12:45 - The 3-Step process for composing
24:07 - How is music interval theory different?
37:29 - The problem with composing and editing at the same time
39:20 - TC's thoughts on intervalic thinking vs diatonic theory
42:50 - How do you balance the interval process with keeping the music usable?
45:41 - More about the Music Interval Theory Academy
54:07 - Where to find Frank and TC online
57:05 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Music Interval Theory Academy
https://musicintervaltheory.academy/toolkit

T.C.'s IMDb
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0153845/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_2_q_Thomas%2520Chase%2520Jones

Frank's IMDb
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3934435/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_4_q_Frank%2520Herrlinger

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Ready for Sync? Live!

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Join us for a special Ready For Sync? LIVE! event where I give feedback on cues from the 52 Community!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/wG0GUg2wPJs

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Software Synths Demystified (with Jon Audio)

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Today, Dave welcomes synth guru, Jon Audio ( @jonaudio ) and they delve into the world of synthesizers, discussing favorites like Zebra, Omnisphere, and Vital, highlighting the importance of user-friendliness, third-party support, and learning through presets.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/6Jp263rPPbE

00:00 - Intro & welcome
01:52 - Weekly check-in
06:47 - Software synths demystified with Jon Audio
09:00 - Overcoming the "fear factor" of programming synthesizers
10:42 - What is an oscillator?
14:00 - FM synthesis basics
15:01 - What is an LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator)?
17:50 - What is granular synthesis?
19:52 - What is physical modelling synthesis?
22:18 - How should people get started with synthesis?
26:55 - Jon's "Mount Rushmore" of favorite synths
41:29 - Thoughts on synth presets as sounds and learning tools
52:00 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Find Jon on YouTube
https://youtube.com/@jonaudio

Jon's Presets
https://jonaudio.gumroad.com

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What Are You Afraid Of?

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Pursuing a career in any creative industry, whether it's production music, film scoring, game music, or even being a painter, is filled with uncertainty. What fears keep you up at night? What are you afraid of? In this episode, I unpack six different fears that you might be struggling with and give you some tips on how to overcome them!

00:00 - Intro & welcome
01:48 - Weekly check-in
06:50 - What are you afraid of as a creator?
09:28 - #1: Fear of financial instability
16:40 - #2: Fear of non-sustainability
19:48 - #3: Fear of irrelevance and becoming unoriginal
22:32 - #4: Fear of failure
26:29 - #5: Fear of networking
29:56 - #6: Fear of obsolescence through technology
38:50 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What Can Golf Teach Us About Production Music?

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Join me as I welcome 52 Cues Family member, Shane Jensen, who in addition to being an accomplished musician was also once a professional golfer. In this episode we discuss how his time on the links has translated to his time in the studio and what lessons can be learned by learning golf.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/FQ1Z1bI_vPs

00:00 - Intro & welcome
01:48 - Weekly check-in
08:02 - Interview with Shane Jensen
09:18 - Shane's thoughts on being a lifelong learner
12:26 - Shane's life as a professional golfer

The parallels between golf and production music:

16:24 - #1: Learn to use the basic tools for the job
25:32 - #2: Have a strong foundation
30:01 - Shane's advice for folks new to golf
31:30 - #3: Enjoy the process and the small wins
38:20 - #4: How to deal with hazards and roadblocks
49:31 - #5: Find a good mentor you resonate with
57:37 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

From Beats to Banjos (with Ryan Harlin)

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 15:00:00 -0500

If you've watched any music production tutorials out on YouTube, I guarantee you you've at least heard this man's voice. My guest joining me today is a singer, a songwriter, producer, music educator, the senior creative lead at Reason Studios, Ryan Harlin, and chat about everything from how he found himself making Reason tutorials, how Reason fits into his workflow, and how the banjo (of all things) is one of his true passions!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/s0OyQLj4RHQ

Web: https://ryanharlin.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ryanharlin_
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RyanHarlin

Harmony Playground: https://ryanharlin.com/harmony-playground
Walker Creek Music Camp: https://walkercreekmusiccamp.org

Reason: https://www.reasonstudios.com
https://www.youtube.com/reasonstudios

00:00 - Intro & welcome
01:49 - Weekly check-in
06:42 - Interview with Ryan Harlin
13:29 - What are some of the big attractions of Reason?
24:38 - Thoughts on the impact of the Reason Rack plugin
32:33 - How does Ryan approach learning and using new Reason instruments?
37:10 - How do Reason and being a banjo player overlap and complement each other?
48:27 - How can folks connect with Ryan?
51:33 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How to Handle Discouragement (a Family Roundtable)

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 18:00:00 -0500

Whether it's getting rejected from a client, ghosted from a publisher, getting placements that pay pennies to the dollar, or never getting placements at all, this gig can be pretty brutal at times. So how do we deal with that? This week, I thought it would be a really good idea to have another 52 Cue Family roundtable and talk about handling discouragement.

A huge thanks to Jesse Carrigan, Rolf Schild, Mark Justin, Michael Sinay, Kristopher Smith, Cory Lavine, and Ralph Martin for joining me on this episode!

Watch this Episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/PPqNNr0pTNc

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:38 - Weekly Check In
08:34 - Handling Discouragement Family Roundtable
52:53 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What Should You Look for in a Mentor?

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Mentors and coaches can play a huge role in guiding you along your career journey, but how do you know when you need one, and what should you look for when looking for a mentor?

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/7hUVOk1mv0w

00:00 - Intro & welcome
02:05 - A small change to our YouTube Vlog format
03:04 - Weekly check-in
04:33 - This week's Expedition 52 cue: "Shanghai And Dry"
09:25 - Why you might need a mentor
16:58 - #1: Relevant experience to where you want to be
22:14 - #2: Their teaching ability and feedback style
31:13 - #3: Do they have an established professional network?
38:10 - #4: The investment for their services
43:37 - #5: Are your personalities compatible?
48:48 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Looking Back on 2023 and What's Ahead for 2024

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Join me as I take a look back on the ups, downs, and challenges of 2023 while also looking forward to what's to come for me and the channel for 2024!

Watch this Episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/gvC6_eCKZ_U

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

I Just Turned 50 and I'm Just Getting Started!

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Join me for a special episode marking my 50th birthday, where I reflect on my journey from aspiring band director to becoming a production music composer and educator. I share insights about my 30-year marriage with Shannon, my career transitions, and the lessons I've learned about maintaining work-life balance and embracing personal growth.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/VNGMWz4vdgo

00:00 - Intro & welcome
02:40 - Am I where I thought I would be?
06:41 - Some of my proudest achievements
13:08 - How have I changed over the years?
18:21 - Am I where I want to be?
22:35 - What legacy do I want to leave behind?
27:54 - What lessons have I learned along the way?
36:48 - What's next?
43:47 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Is This Orchestral Hip-Hop Cue Ready for Sync?

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Join me as we check out if this orchestral hip-hop cue from 52 Cues community Member, Ms. JujuBeatz, is ready for sync!

Is your cue ready for sync licensing and library placement? Head over to http://ismycueready.com and get your own feedback and critique video today!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/uFTaG0aCRYs

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

A Library Wants My Cue! What Now?

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Today, we're unpacking the chain of events that kicks off once library says "yes" to your cue. We'll discuss the importance of handling contracts and dive into the intricacies of deliverables, including file formats and metadata. Plus, we explore the library's role in distribution and marketing, and the patience required as your music finds its place in the industry.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/_dD6R4TYCko

00:00 - Intro & welcome
01:55 - What happens after a library says "yes"?
02:46 - #1: Get the paperwork (contract) done before sending out files
09:50 - #2: Prepare and send the deliverables
15:20 - #3: Cues are added to the library catalog
19:56 - #4: Your cue's journey from library to royalty check
21:43 - #5: How long does this process take?
24:50 - #6: Maintaining the library relationship
29:04 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Is This Spanish Guitar Cue Ready for Sync?

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Join me as we check out if this Spanish guitar cues from 52 Cues Family Member, Michal Pacalaj, is ready for sync!

Is your cue ready for sync licensing and library placement? Head over to http://ismycueready.com and get your own feedback and critique video today!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Gs5sm0y1q0Y

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Is This Festive Christmas Cue Ready for Sync?

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 14:00:00 -0500

Join me as we check out if this epic festive Christmas cues from 52 Cues Community Member, James Oakden, is ready for sync!

Is your cue ready for sync licensing and library placement? Head over to http://ismycueready.com and get your own feedback and critique video today!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Classically Trained Synthesist (with Jameson Nathan Jones)

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0500

Jameson Nathan Jones is a classically trained composer who has found a bridge between classical piano and modern synthesis. Oh, and he isn’t afraid to call it like it is!

On this week's episode, we dive into his journey through the music industry, focusing on how he balances his own artistic integrity with the commercial side of being a working composer, and we discuss his approach to merging diverse musical styles while finding personal satisfaction in the work.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/-HYCfpp6ZJc

How Content Kills Creativity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVMDtgh8qWE

Music Degrees are a WASTE of time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWtYPRdELqE

Mario taught me how to finish music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHRzhM_lm8Y

FREE Practical Guide to Composition eBook:
https://bit.ly/FREEcompositionguide

Nathan's Links
https://www.youtube.com/@JamesonNathanJones
https://www.jamesonnathanjones.com
https://instagram.com/jamesonnathanjones

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Production Music Q&A LIVE!

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 18:00:00 -0500

Joni me for another Production Music Q&A - recorded live!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Wy82VcNq5N0

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Is This Synthwave Cue Ready for Sync?

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Join me as we check out if this 80’s Synthwave cue from 52 Cues Community Member, Jakob Forslund, is ready for sync!

Is your cue ready for sync licensing and library placement? Head over to http://ismycueready.com and get your own feedback and critique video today!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

6 Career Lessons I Learned from Star Trek

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Star Trek is more than just an entertainment franchise; it's a trove of valuable life lessons. The series offers timeless wisdom about embracing diversity, being adaptable, and fostering alliances – lessons that are crucial for a successful music career.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/fPzgTiC_iBE

00:00 - Intro & welcome
04:58 - 1: Infinite diversity and infinite combinations
07:59 - 2: Resistance is futile
11:19 - 3: It takes a federation for everyone to succeed
17:09 - 4: You must have, and adhere to, a prime directive
25:07 - 5: We all have to face the Kobayashi Maru
28:41 - 6: Live long and prosper
32:04 - Outro and how you can join the 52 Cues community

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Power of Gratitude, Grace, and Forgiveness

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500

The transformative power of gratitude, positivity, and forgiveness is undeniable. These principles wield immense influence in our lives, shaping our personal and professional journeys, and in this week's episode, Shannon and Dave Kropf delve into the significance and power these concepts hold.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/mBfYMDm2-W4

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
01:36 - Gratitude
18:27 - Grace
28:18 - Forgiveness
39:55 - Outro and How You Can Join The 52 Cues Community

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Is This Dark Dramedy Cue Ready for Sync?

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Join me as we check out if an dark dramedy cue from 52 Cues Community Member, Alan Moore, is ready for sync!

Is your cue ready for sync licensing and library placement? Head over to http://ismycueready.com and get your own feedback and critique video today!

Watch this on YouTube
https://youtu.be/ipxutvZhYZo

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How To Think Like a Publisher (with Jason Rudd)

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Publishers and library owners play a critical role in finding homes for our cues and building relationships with these folks is a mission critical skill for any sync music composer. Today, I sit down with Jason Rudd of Level 77 Music, who shares his journey from mastering guru to executive producer for an award-winning catalog, and he offers perspective from the other side of the business.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/3zZUKbFVnnA

https://www.level77music.com/
https://www.instagram.com/level77music/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-m-rudd-15155536/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Is This Epic Hip-Hop Cue Ready for Sync?

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Join me as we check out if an epic orchestral hip-hop cue from 52 Cues Community Member, Karsten Wilck, is ready for sync!

Is your cue ready for sync licensing and library placement? Head over to http://ismycueready.com and get your own feedback and critique video today!

Watch this on YouTube
https://youtu.be/D9oNblbhrQA

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

I Suck at Guitar (and That's OK)!

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Have you ever wondered why picking up a new instrument feels like unlocking a superpower? In this episode, I explore how immersing myself in the world of guitar has reinvigorated music’s magic, sparking a sense of exploration and creativity that has been profoundly transformative!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/sojksnPUAbo

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
01:49 - I suck at guitar (and that's OK)
06:00 - Why do I enjoy something I'm not good at?
06:46 - Rekindling a sense of exploration and discovery
13:51 - The sense of creative play
18:24 - The value of curiosity
20:32 - The reawakening of inspiration
24:04 - Accepting that a steep learning curve is perfectly normal
29:29 - Balancing expectations with reality
31:35 - Outro and How You Can Join The 42 Cues Community

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Spy Dramedy Cue Review

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0500

Join me as a give feedback on a spy dramedy cue by 52 Cues community member, Simon Tong.

Watch this on YouTube
https://youtu.be/XXIIYgdW91I

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Arabian Orchestral Cue Review

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Join me as a give feedback on an Arabian orchestral cue by 52 Cues community member, Mark Morgon-Shaw.

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/-g0QbLp4lVY

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Orchestration Recipes (with Philip Johnston)

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0400

If you’ve been watching my videos for any length of time you know I love to use metaphors to break down complex topics, and I have found a kindred spirit in composer and concert pianist, Philip Johnston of Orchestration Recipes, who joins me to unpack how he makes advanced musical concepts much less intimidating!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/3p45O1WMf7A

Orchestration Recipes
https://orchestrationrecipes.com

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@orchestrationrecipes

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
01:51 - Interview with Philip Johnston
03:26 - Philip's musical journey
09:31 - An alternative way to represent music theory
15:37 - Is it necessary for composers to be 100% full-time to be taken seriously?
18:05 - Why is the traditional teaching of music theory stuck in one system?
21:24 - The orchestration recipes system
33:04 - How do people get the most from the recipes?
34:43 - Volumes 3 & 4 of orchestration recipes - "the spices"
37:25 - A video example from volume 3 "spices"
40:55 - How should people best use these responsibly?
41:47 - Any specific advice for media composers?
47:32 - How to learn more about Philip and orchestration recipes
47:55 - Outro and How You Can Join the 52 Cues Community!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Fright Night Composer Quest Live Showcase!

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 18:00:00 -0400

Ready for a bone-chilling journey through soundscapes from comedic to terrifying? We promise to thrill you with 19 mind-bending cues as we navigate the murky depths of horror and comedic music. Not only that, but we're putting the power in your hands to vote for your favorite track, ensuring that the most spine-tingling tune gets the love it deserves!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t2amtX_T7A

There's still time to vote!
https://bit.ly/52CFrightNight

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Hybrid Horror Cue Review

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Join me as a give feedback on a hybrid horror cue by 52 Cues community member, John Dupont!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/j45zcbO6yAQ

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Coming Up Through the Ranks (with Jonas Friedman)

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Name-brand composers often employ teams of ghost writers and composers assistants to help get their projects over the finish line. While an accomplished film/TV composer himself, Jonas Friedman joins me today to talk about his experiences in the industry and how often times paying your dues can really pay off.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eolZIYTVAmE

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:10 - Interview with Jonas Friedman
14:08 - What advice can we offer composers who might feel taken advantage of?
20:26 - A day in the life of a composer's assistant
24:25 - Do you have to live in L.A. to work in the film music business?
32:00 - Jonas talks about mentoring and teaching aspiring composers
41:03 - Authenticity in composing
48:24 - Where can folks learn more about Jonas?
49:53 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Links
https://www.youtube.com/@jonasfriedman
https://www.modernmediacomposer.com/
https://www.jonasfriedman.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jonasfriedmanmusic

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Uplifting Piano & Orchestra Cue Review

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Join me as a give feedback on an uplifting piano and orchestra cue by 52 Cues community member, Jake Cox!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjRMlqjtVhM

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How to Find the Art in Artisan (with Hans York)

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Today I welcome production music veteran and 52 Cues member, Hans York to the podcast to talk about his journey into production music, his role and experiences with Sync Academy and Sync My Music, and what he's been doing lately to stave off creative stagnation.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/rSVKFx3dhUQ

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:10 - Interview with Hans York
00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:10 - Interview with Hans York
4:27 - Hans' journey as a professional musician
13:34 - Seeking out mentors for continual growth
16:04 - Hans' experience with Sync My Music and 52 Cues
21:22 - Hans' guitar poems
28:23 - How to deal with commercialism in art
31:10 - "Tree Talk" - A guitar poem by Hans York
34:02 - Where to find Hans on the web
35:07 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

https://www.youtube.com/@hansyork
https://www.hansyork.com
Trees Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxlbVgygzs0
Hans York on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/65flK5tL7fpOOsOPiOGjI3?si=8bCvgXyuQSS2jdpGMx7Rxw

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Sound Design Trailer Cue Review

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 19:00:00 -0400

Join me as I give critique and feedback on a sound design trailer action cue by 52 Cues community member, Topi Jokinen!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/cNzKM_yl87Q

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Who Needs Spitfire's Abbey Road 1st Violins??

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Spitfire's latest orchestral release, Abbey Road Orchestra 1st Violins, offers an unparalleled level of control, but with an eye-watering price of $449 for just one section It begs the questions: who is this really for? Has Spitfire lost their way, and is it a smart purchase for production music composers?

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/s7bLlKxOIic

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
01:56 - Who Needs Abbey Road 1st Violins?
4:45 - It started with the Spitfire BBCSO trailer...
8:39 - Now comes Abbey Road 1st Violins...
18:30 - Who is Abbey Road 1st Violins aimed at?
26:24 - Alternative options for production music composers
31:35 - Might Spitfire ever return to more forward-thinking music production tools?
37:20 - Closing thoughts on Abbey Road 1st Violins
39:01 - How to deal with FOMO as a music production composer
43:05 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Indie Acoustic Cue Review

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Join me as I give critique and feedback on an indie acoustic cue by 52 Cues community member, Robert Raede!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Hd52aotLsKk

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Orchestral Sports Cue Review

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Join me as I give critique and feedback on an orchestral sports cue by 52 Cues community member, Mike Breidegam!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/yiLWlXkD8Ak

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Emotional Piano & Strings Cue Review

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Join me as I give critique and feedback on an emotional piano & strings cue by 52 Cues community member, Reed Gesteland!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/1Eok-XMY46Y

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Sports Rock Cue Review

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Join me as I give critique and feedback on a sports rock cue by 52 Cues community member, Jesse Carrigan (https://www.jessecarrigan.live)!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwR4XsdnZ-E

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Can Subscriptions Actually Be Done Right? (A Roundtable)

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400

In today's episode, Dave delves into the debate around software subscriptions, drawing insights from 52 Cues Family members from across the globe. In this roundtable discussion, we explore the complexities of subscriptions, from user perceptions to the strategies of companies like Waves and Adobe.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Zi7_MDVTSng

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
6:40 - Why did the sudden Waves subscription model generate so much negativity?
14:07 - How did Adobe get away with a subscription model and Waves couldn't?
16:35 - What can subscriptions do that make us feel better about it?
26:37 - East West Composer Cloud - are their model and pricing a more attractive option?
32:00 - Getting trapped in subscriptions - for example, Splice
35:14 - Do subscriptions help fight software piracy?
41:25 - The Kilohearts subscription as a better model
46:06 - How do members feel about the 52 Cues subscription?
01:52 - Let's Talk About Subscriptions
57:40 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Americana Hip-Hop Cue Review

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Join me as I give critique and feedback on an Americana Tension cue by 52 Cues Family member, Rolf Schild (https://www.triomusic.info)!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/lgEKX7487h4

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Exploring Sound Design with Venus Theory

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400

As the world of sound design continues to evolve and innovate, having a firm understanding of the tools, techniques, and trends in the industry is essential. Whether you're an experienced sound designer or a novice looking to break into the field, our conversation with Cameron Gorham of Venus Theory offers invaluable insights to help you navigate this dynamic industry!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/1Lm6KIFD4Dw

Venus Theory
Web - https://www.instagram.com/venustheory
Bandcamp - https://venustheory.bandcamp.com
YouTube - https://youtube.com/@venustheory
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/venustheory

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:22 - Interview with Venus Theory
7:40 - Cameron's thoughts on being a YouTuber
11:00 - How does being on YouTube affect the creative work?
14:03 - The negative side of YouTube when things go wrong
19:38 - Cameron's work as a sampler instrument creator
23:27 - Thoughts on making an income from music
32:55 - The role of AI in the music industry
44:03 - The value of sound design and using your own sounds
52:12 - What tools would you start with in sound design?
54:17 - "Active listening" and recording unique sounds
01:10:11 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Uplifting Orchestral Cue Review

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0400

Join me as I give critique and feedback on an uplifting orchestral cue by 52 Cues Community member, Richard Bagley (https://richardbagleymusic.com)!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/yRvGrk1Oliw

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Turning Pro

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400

What separates hobbyists from professionals in the creative arts field, particularly music composition? What if I told you the answer lies not in talent, but in mindset, accountability, dedication, and an ability to embrace failure?

Join me as we discuss the art of balancing your hobbies and professional goals, understanding the value of patience, persistence, self-actualization, and the acceptance of failure as part of the road to success.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/3RqThCZcnT4

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
01:40 - Turning Pro
5:29 - Defining some of the obstacles to going pro
10:03 - Consciously deciding to transition from hobbyist to pro
15:32 - Continual daily focus on improvement across all areas
26:06 - Having the courage to move forward despite setbacks
28:25 - Other factors that get in the way of turning pro
32:30 - Successful pros strive to become the best version of themselves
38:06 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield
https://amzn.to/3rg9wpp

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
https://amzn.to/3PDWGuk

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Country Hip-Hop Hybrid Cue Review

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Join me as I give critique and feedback on a country hip-hop hybrid cue by 52 Cues Community member, Jeff LaPlante (https://soundcloud.com/jeff303)!

Watch this on YouTube
https://youtu.be/DQsatkGb0tE

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Demystifying the Cue with Dean Krippaehne

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400

There's no shortage of YouTube channels about library and sync music but there aren't that many books about the production music industry. So when I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the few people really putting out great books about production music, I was more than happy to jump at the chance and welcome Dean Krippaehne to the podcast!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU2cJY7HZGs

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:15 - Interview with Dean Krippaehne
40:38 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Dean's Website - https://www.deankrippaehne.net

Dean's Books
Demystifying the Cue - https://amzn.to/44GPFNJ
Demystifying the Genre - https://amzn.to/3Z8AImy
Write, Submit, Forget, Repeat - https://amzn.to/3Z8YDCv

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Indie Pop Positive Cue Review

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Join me as I give critique and feedback on an indie pop positive cue by 52 Cues Community member, Chris Moser (https://soundcloud.com/user-645451108)!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/OakvVtOGGSU

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Musical Solutions to Mixing Problems

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we delve into the challenges of juggling both composition and production tasks, and uncover the 'composer first' approach that prioritizes musicality in three key areas: balance, dynamic range, and stereo placement. Learn how this strategy can simplify your workflow, minimize the need for technical fixes, and elevate the emotional impact of your cues.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Epnk15BeB6Y

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
01:49 - Musical Approach to Mixing
38:15 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Stomp Clap Cue Review

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Join me as I give critique and feedback on a stomp clap cue by 52 Cues Community member, Mitchell Davis (https://soundcloud.com/mitchelldavismusic)!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/nmv6iLVXQe8

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Q&A Live!

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Join me for a special Q&A episode recorded live! I answer your questions about streaming royalties, loudness and mastering practices, sound design, referencing in Ozone, the artisan approach, ride cymbal programming, overcoming fear of submitting to libraries, and many more!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/i6rciQNFJ6s

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Kitschy Jazz Cue Review

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Join me as I give critique and feedback on a kitschy jazz cue by 52 Cues Community member, Brian Morales (https://soundcloud.com/orphyas)!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/VbC9kg_f8UA

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Standing Out In The Crowd (with Jason Moss)

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Join me as I sit down with Jason Moss, the co-founder of Bulletproof Bear, to unpack his journey from being a composer to becoming a music publisher. Jason shares his insights into the value of authentic relationships and the value in striking a balance between originality and commercial success in music licensing.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/A_Sa-uVR6j4

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:13 - Interview with Jason Moss
5:09 - Jason's journey in the music business
8:02 - The transition from composer to publisher
14:37 - Should composers create a catalog of their own music?
25:36 - Originality vs uniqueness
33:00 - When composers submit pitches, what do they do right and wrong?
41:45 - One thing composers should really know
47:24 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Bulletproof Bear - https://bulletproofbear.com/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Do You Need a YouTube Channel?

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Is YouTube an essential part of the marketing portfolio for the modern production music composer? On today's episode, I unpack why you might want to start a YouTube channel, how it could help your career, and what pitfalls you might want to watch out for.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/vcIhmt9dsB4

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
01:29 - Do You Need a YouTube Channel?
49:21 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

You Should Learn Guitar (with Mike Meiers)

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

As production music composers, we often find ourselves reaching for virtual instruments first, but we also know that recording live instruments can bring magic to a cue!

On today's episode, I welcome Emmy Award-winning composer, songwriter, guitarist, and host of the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast, Mike Meiers, to talk about how he uses real instruments on his tracks, and how we shouldn't be afraid to pick up a guitar – even if we don't really know what we're doing!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/9aSyxdrQVdE

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
03:36 - Interview with Mike Meiers
56:24 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Dave on the SFG Podcast
https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/blog/episode-76-intro-to-production-music

Songwriting for Guitar - https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/
SFG Podcast - https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriting-for-guitar-podcast
SFG Coaching - https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/SFGCoaching

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Who Writes Those Plugin Demos?

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400

One of my favorite things to do whenever any new synth, sample set, or patch library comes out is to take a listen to the demos, but who actually puts these demos together, and how do you land that gig?

Well, we are super fortunate to have a very accomplished demo writer right here in the community, and I’m thrilled to welcome Michal Sinay to this week’s episode of the 52 Cues Podcast.

Plus I give feedback on a saxy dramedy cue written by 52 Cues community member, John Chambers (https://soundcloud.com/johnchamberscomposer).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Oqj7818J4p0

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
03:36 - Writing Demos with Michal Sinay
49:39 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
50:56 - "Foolish Curiosity" by John Chambers
01:03:12 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Find Michael Online - https://www.mjsinaycompositionformedi...
Luftrum Gemina Album - https://luftrum.bandcamp.com/album/ge...
The Unfinished - https://www.theunfinished.co.uk/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Let's Get Weird!

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400

More and more libraries are starting to place a higher premium on uniqueness - that distinctive thing that you, as a human composer, can bring to their catalog. That means it's time to get a weird, and on today's episode, I look at ways we can break conventions while still playing by production music rules.

Plus, I give feedback on an epic hip-hop cue written 52 Cues community member Carlos Brown (https://soundcloud.com/user-456770254)!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/zwMtV66xPcA

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:12 - Let's Get Weird!
39:10 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
40:26 - "Championship Blows" by Carlos Brown
51:05 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Hip-Hop for Sync with Anthony Clint, Jr

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400

If you want to get into writing hip-hop for sync, then you want to be sure to learn from the best, and I can’t think anyone better than Anthony Clint, Jr of Clint Music productions. With placements across all major networks, his courses and YouTube channel are an absolute gold mine of production tips and industry insights

Join me as I welcome the Zen master of hip-hop production music, Anthony Clint, Jr, on this week’s episode of the 52 Cues Podcast.

Plus, I give feedback on a solo piano cue written 52 Cues community member Graham Clarke (https://soundcloud.com/user-526833450).

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/4arE_rjBWjY

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:30 - Hip-Hop for Sync with Anthony Clint, Jr.
45:06 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
46:23 - "Longshore Drift" by Graham Clarke
57:05 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The 5 Lies I Used to (and Still Do) Tell Myself

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400

In the absence of facts, it’s human nature to substitute fears in place of truth, and it seems that no matter how much we grow up and how much we accomplish there are lies we tell ourselves that can keep up from being in the moment or achieving the very success we’re going after.

So on today's episode, I want to talk about 5 lies I used to (and sometimes still do) tell myself about becoming a successful composer.

Plus, I give feedback on action percussion cue written by 52 Cues Friend, Michael Reschke (https://soundcloud.com/michael-reschke).

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/uNHNik8MxxM

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:26 - The 5 Lies I Used to (and Still Do) Tell Myself
39:19 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
40:34 - "Under Attack," by Michael Reschke
49:24 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Left vs Right Brain Thinking for Composers

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Lateralization of brain function is the idea that our cognitive processes are generally divided into the two hemispheres of our brain - the “left brain” being more analytical, logical, and language oriented; whereas the “right brain” is typically associated with imagination, intuition, and emotion.

So we’re going to explore the intersection of neuroscience and composition and talk about how we can apply these concepts to our work in production music on this week’s episode of the 52 Cues Podcast.

Plus I give feedback on a playful orchestral tension cue written by 52 Cues Community member, Omar Blyde.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/lw0XPw7T3lI

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:08 - Join the 52 Cues Mastermind!
03:04 - Left Bran vs. Right Brain in Production Music
31:28 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
32:44 - "Secret Side Fantasy" by Omar Blyde

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How Gaming Makes Me a Better Composer

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400

As a lifelong gamer, I've come to realize that the decades spent leveling characters, looting corpses, and stomping sentient fungus have led to real, tangible skills that have benefited me as a professional composer. So today, we’re going unpack 5 ways in which gaming can help your career in production music!

Plus we feature a dark, pulsing tension cue written by 52 Cues community member, Jerome Detotto (https://soundcloud.com/jerodetmusic).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/fEFqKsDRqBs

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:30 - Join the 52 Cues Mastermind!
03:35 - How Gaming Helped Me Be a Better Composer
30:13 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
31:30 - "Revealing Secrets" by Jerome Detotto
43:36 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Sync or Swim Music with Robbie Hancock

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Sync or Swim Music, hosted by songwriter, composer, and music supervisor, Robbie Hancock, is an online community focusing on virtual networking events. Their next conference is June 22-25, and I welcome Robbie on the show to talk about it, and also talk about how generosity, integrity, and kindness can be the most valuable currency in the sync music industry.

Plus we feature a roots rock style cue written by 52 Cues community member, Christoffer Bjerklund (https://soundcloud.com/christoffer-bj...!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/HWW7vhU0qlg

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:48 - Sync or Swim Music with Robbie Hancock
45:35 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
46:51 - "Gold & Green" by Christoffer Bjerklund
57:53 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Overcoming and Avoiding Burnout

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400

From pitches to deadlines to metadata, building a career as a production music composer can be a real grind that can seriously rob you of the joy of making a living making music. So today, I want to talk about burnout, what could be causing it, and how we can work through it!

Plus we feature a unique, vocal tension cue 52 Cues community member, Martin EDER.

Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/WKR9jCGHTB0

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:04 - Identifying and Overcoming Burnout
01:11:52 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
01:13:05 - "Secret Rite" by Martin EDER
01:23:13 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

PROs Explained

Thu, 25 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400

There are a lot of moving parts to getting paid when your music gets placed on TV and as production music composers, the majority of the money we make depends on backend royalties managed by PROs or Performing Rights Organizations. So on today's episode, I examine the role of PROs, what they do, how they operate, and how they determine how much you get paid.

Plus we feature a stomp/clap cue written by 52 Cues community member, Lenny Beh!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/e_nm83BVRqc

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:15 - PROs Explained
5:00 - What do PROs actually do?
9:25 - How does it all work?
12:28 - Payments and the 3 major usage criteria.
15:47 - What about royalties from streaming services?
18:59 - How the PROs weight payment criteria differently.
20:58 - The main types of royalties and payments
30:00 - What are cue sheets and how are they used?
41:05 - The 10 most common PROs
54:00 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
55:15 - "Power Through It" by Lenny Beh
01:09:04 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How Can the 80/20 Rule Can Boost Your Career in Production Music?

Thu, 18 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400

The 80/20 rule, or “Pareto Principle,” is a concept that states that 80% of the outcomes in life can be attributed to 20% of causes, and as it turns out, this principle can also be applied to our development as composers.

On this week’s episode, we unpack 5 ways to use this 80/20 rule to boost our careers in production music, as well as talk about some pitfalls to watch out for if this all goes sideways.

Plus we feature an intense, electronic tension cue written by 52 Cues community member, Kris Claerhout (https://kc-fyx.disco.ac/lib/4137).

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:06 - 5 Ways the 80/20 Rule to Boost Your Career in Production Music
36:31 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
37:45 - "Equalize Intensify" by Kris Claerhout
46:31 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

From Sample Making to Filmmaking with Jon Meyer

Thu, 11 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400

We production music folks tend to have a lot of irons in the fire and I can’t think of a leader in our industry who best embodies this than Jon Meyer (@JonMeyer)!

Jon has just released his brand new Kontakt instrument, Soft Drums, and I wanted to have him on the show to not only talk about that, but also, to share how he balances so many creative outlets - from music making to sample making to filmmaking.

Plus we feature a chill, lo fi cue written by 52 Cues community member, Harley Toberman.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/qm19SYh0l60

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:40 - Interview with Jon Meyer
49:29 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
50:43 - "Lo Fi Mellow" by Harley Toberman
01:01:33 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Jon's YouTube Channel – / jonmeyermusic
Get Soft Drums – https://www.jonmeyermusic.com/softdrums

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Production Music Q&A

Thu, 04 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400

It's another Q&A session this week where we cover a wide range of topics, from mastering alts and stems, AI tools, pitching to libraries, finding references, to backend royalties, panning practices, and much more.

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is an action percussion cue. Then I give my thoughts on a stomp clap cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Dolfo Picanco (https://soundcloud.com/user-970896607-106636830).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/s_p4Ttif5nA

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:12 - Year of Taxi Check-In
18:13 - Q&A
01:24:39 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
01:25:51 - "Crush 'Em All" by Dolfo Picano
01:37:58 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

(For full links and timestamps, please see the YouTube video above)

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Do Libraries Owe Us a Response on Returns? (with Michael Laskow)

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Last week I posed a burning question: should libraries reach out to composers whose music was forwarded by Taxi but not selected? This ignited a spirited discussion among composers, publishers, and everyone in between, shared via YouTube comments, our 52 Cues community, DMs, and emails.

Join me this week on the 52 Cues Podcast as we dive deeper into the Taxi debate with their President and CEO, Michael Laskow. We'll uncover the truth behind showbiz rejections, learn how to bounce back from bruised egos, and examine why Taxi-forward success might make make the silence sting that much more.

Plus, in my Year of Taxi update, we’re going to check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is a CSI-Style Investigation Cue, and I give my thoughts a drone tension cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Michael Sinay (https://soundcloud.com/user-194186927).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/hga-2gawK7E

More about Taxi - https://www.taxi.com/

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:45 - Year of Taxi Check-In
09:44 - Why Don't Libraries Always Reply?
54:10 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
55:22- "Droning in Sorrow" by Michael Sinay
01:05:02 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Is TuneSat Really Worth the $$$?

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400

TuneSat can detect nearly any music placement on TV throughout the US and EU, and while it has its limitations, it can be a good way to see if your cues are getting traction. But what can we actually do with this information? And is it even worth the crazy subscription cost?

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is synth drone cue, and then I give my thoughts a 50’s rock cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Doug Knight (https://www.taxi.com/members/Gjdf7sdFR5-G1jYZ7wPtrA-doug-knight).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/xJA18v6R-3o

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:35 - Year of Taxi Check-In
17:09 - Is TuneSat Really Worth It?
22:29 - Does TuneSat work?
27:05 - TuneSat pricing
35:23 - What can we or the PROs do with the information TuneSat provides?
39:30 - How do I use it?
42:46 - What if you see no placement detections for your music?
44:09 - Is this technology the future for PROs?
51:59 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
53:13 - "Potsie's Theme" by Doug Knight
59:46 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

10 Piano VSTs Compared!

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400

While I’m not a pianist, I’ve certainly done a fair amount of piano programming as well as lot of research looking for that perfect piano sound. On today's episode I compare ten (yes ten!) piano libraries with examples from meditation to jazz and Beethoven to Debussy.

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is a Stranger Things-inspired synth tension cue, and then I give my thoughts a Cuban salsa cue written by another longtime 52 Cues Community Member, Enrico Caporale (https://soundcloud.com/user-542988836).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/3xQnNDvUYIg

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:16 - Year of Taxi Check-In
16:23 - 10 Piano VSTs Compared
01:08:47 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
01:10:02 - Salsa Huevo En Barbita," by Enrico Caproale
01:17:22 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

All Is Well - Music for Meditation by Shannon Kropf
https://open.spotify.com/album/69hUKqypKHV5o27jadtPc7

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What Do Editors Want? (with Josh Siegel)

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400

It’s one thing to talk about what editors need, but it’s another to have the opportunity to hear straight from the source. So I was thrilled when I had the chance to chat with Josh Siegel, a film editor who makes his living making the shows that use so much of *our* music.

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we’re going to check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is another pulsing, investigative tension cue, and then O give my thoughts an epic trailer cue written by longtime 52 Cues Community Member, Richard Bagley (https://richardbagleymusic.com).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/tlzyINrkYfM

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:02 - Year of Taxi Check-In
07:08 - What do Editors Want? (with Josh Siegel)
01:01:45 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
01:02:59 - "Trailer 9" by Richard Bagley
01:13:55 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Josh Siegel on IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0796955/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Waves Goes Subscription... Only?

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0400

With zero fanfare and not even a heads up email to their customer base, Waves has gone subscription… only. So we’re gonna talk about it, look at what’s being offered and at what price, and discuss about how Waves has, literally overnight, managed to piss off everyone.

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is a pulsing, investigative cue, and then I’m going to give my thoughts a tension cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Jenny Goodspeed (https://jennygoodspeed.com)!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/RbWe4_LK8EY

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:15 - Year of Taxi Check-In
10:16 - Waves Goes Subscription... Only
30:55 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
32:09 - "Beneath the Surface," by Jenny Goodspeed
41:34 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!
43:17 - Family, Friends, and Patrons!

Lots of folks talking about Waves' Subscription Plan:
Barry Johns - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIYFEdZ9nHw
Dan Worrell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhHpza3Wi7c
Clint Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wi9SZ2l_n4

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

5 Books That Changed My Thinking

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0400

On today’s show, I go over five books that have transformed my way of thinking and helped in my career as a professional composer, even though they’re not explicitly about the music industry.

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is a fourth contemporary hip-hop cue, then a little later, I give my thoughts a lush orchestral cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Dan Maynard (https://soundcloud.com/dan-k-maynard).

Watch this episode and get show links on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/msEth53C3sQ

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:22 - Year of Taxi Check-In
11:51 - The 5 Books That Changed My Way of Thinking
54:48 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
56:02 - "Mythcal Aeolia," by Dan Maynard
01:07:28 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

My Own Mount Rushmore of Plugins

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Regardless of mood, emotion, or genre, I keep finding myself dipping back into the same handful of plugins time and time again. So on today’s show I share the sounds and FX which have become so deeply embedded into my workflow that they should be immortalized into my own personal Mount Rushmore of plugins.

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is a return to contemporary hip-hop, and then I give my thoughts a solo jazz piano cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Simon Armitage (https://open.spotify.com/artist/25D5tU7Ij8L6xJZLKf8dL8?si=oXN-AeJYQhuqmJ64hLJTkA).

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:22 - Year of Taxi Check-In
12:54 - My Mount Rushmore of Plugins
01:06:31 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
01:07:45 - "Head Over Heels," by Simon Armitage
01:20:02 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/vKmXhbxBRdM

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Do You Have What It Takes?

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0500

On today’s show, I share the 8 things I think it takes to be successful in the production music industry, with the understanding that most of these I’m still working on myself!

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we’re going to check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is a Lo-Fi/Chill Hop cue, and I give my thoughts a dark, mysterious cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Claudio D (https://soundcloud.com/keschkau).

Watch This Episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/kJnxhgJ7CW4

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:37 - Year of Taxi Check-In
12:47 - Do you have what it takes?
45:34 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
46:48 - "Night Owl," by Claudio D
53:26 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
https://amzn.to/3mzJdYF

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Four Stages of Competence

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0500

When you’re just getting started, you don’t even know what you don’t know, but when you learn a little then you know what you don’t know. You continue this until finally, you know what you know, you know there’s more to know, but you’ve stopped thinking of what you know because now you know it.

This is the path to learning any new skill, and on today’s show, I’m going to unpack each these four stages of competence and discuss how they correlate to the production music process.

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we’re going to check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is another contemporary hip-hop cue. And then I give my thoughts a hip-hop cue cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Steve Mochel (https://www.mochelmusic.com)!

Watch This Episode on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqI8DWXINn8

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:31 - Year of Taxi Check-In
19:06 - The 4 Stages of Conscious Competence
49:52 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
51:06 - "East 149th Street," by Steve Mochel
01:01:41 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

5 Ways to Stay In the Creative Flow State | 52 Cues Podcast, 2022 Week 43
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax9lCrzqesI

Resources referenced in today's episode:

Gordon Training - https://www.gordontraining.com/free-workplace-articles/learning-a-new-skill-is-easier-said-than-done/
Medium.com - https://medium.com/@zainabz/the-four-stages-of-competence-ee5c6046b205

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Let's Talk Metadata

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Wrangling keywords and mood terms across spreadsheets, PDFs, and submission forms, can feel pretty soul sucking at times, but metadata may be the important part of the life of a cue!

On today’s show, I go over the most common type metadata found in libraries and give you some of my strategies that could mean the difference between getting placed or getting passed over.

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we’re going to check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is a contemporary hip-hop cue. And then I give my thoughts a neutral tasking cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Gun-Britt Sundstedt (https://soundcloud.com/user-442882086)!

Watch This Episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/MKSdDLTqvlE

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:33 - Year of Taxi Check-In
10:20 - Let's Talk Metadata!
43:01 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
44:16 - "Lost Tooth" by Gun-Britt Sundstedt
52:41 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

52 Cues Friends and Family subscribers can watch the full-length workshop here: https://my.52cues.com/posts/24681479.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Expanding Creativity Using Ableton Live with Christina Horn

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0500

On today’s show, I welcome composer, educator, and certified Ableton Live guru, Christina Horn, who talks about how she uses the non-linear and expansive capabilities of Live to unlock her creativity, and how she relishes in breaking through stereotypes.

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is an epic orchestral hip-hop cue, and I give my thoughts a hybrid action trailer cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Marc Alan.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/NvAIUwyB9Bo

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:43 - Year of Taxi Check-In
14:23 - Creativity Using Ableton Live with Christina Horn
01:07:11 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
01:08:25 - "Crimson" by Marc Alan
01:18:49 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Christina on Instagram
https://instagram.com/abletonchristina

Christina at Ableton
https://www.ableton.com/en/certified-training/christina-horn/

Pitchwire Studio
https://www.pitchwirestudio.com/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Inexpensive and Easy-to-Play Instruments for Your Cues!

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:00:00 -0500

The best way to add realism on any track is by adding some kind of recorded instrument, but what if you don’t really know how to play a lot of instruments or you have a tight budget? On this episode, I show you a handful of instruments that are relatively simple to play, easy to record, and won’t break the bank.

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we’re going to check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is a sentimental piano solo cue, and then I give my thoughts a braaams heavy tension cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Alex B (https://alexbmusic.com).

Watch this episode on YouTube (as well as all the instrument links from the episode)
https://youtu.be/CWjetg4tGxc

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:34 - Year of Taxi Check-In
11:23 - Inexpensive, Easy-to-Play Intruments You Can Add to Your Cues!
57:18 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
58:33 - "March of the Demons" by Alex B
01:08:06 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Ukulele Zen YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@UkuleleZen

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

A Chat With ReelCrafter

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0500

When you peak behind the curtain of companies who have become household names, you realize these businesses are run by real people with a real passion to help others. That’s why I invited Sam Hulick and Sara Pocius, the power couple behind Reelcrafter, to talk about their story and discuss the features, the future, and maybe even what I might have gotten wrong.

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we’re going to check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is a pulsing minimal tension cue, and then I give my thoughts on dark intrigue cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Daniel Rose (https://soundcloud.com/danirosestudio)!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/PMIlFfWhVfU

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:19 - Year of Taxi Check-In
10:00 - Interview with Sam Hulick and Sara Pocius of Reelcrafter
54:47 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
56:01 - "Prey for Protection" by Daniel Rose
01:05:25 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Use Code 52CUES25 to get 25% off your first three months of Reelcrafter at https://www.reelcrafter.com!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The 10 Commandments of Production Music

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0500

So much of this gig is wildly, frustratingly inconsistent, but I’ve found there are some overarching guidelines which can help govern a lot of our choices. So today, I thought I’d share my 10 commandments of production music!

Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we’re going to check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is an ambient minimal tension cue, and then I give my thoughts on an energetic, nostalgic Broadway cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Mojo X (https://soundcloud.com/mojox)!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/vkgtId8N1JI

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:26 - Year of Taxi Check-In
15:02 - The 10 Commandments of Production Music
15:50 - 1. Thou shalt read the brief and keep it holy!
17:04 - 2. Thou shalt not steal, but referencing…?
23:03 - 3. Thou shalt stick to one mood!
26:15 - 4. Thou shalt use complete phrasing!
29:38 - 5. Thou shalt use predictable layering!
32:29 - 6. Thou shalt include edit points!
36:17 - 7. Thou shalt have no other key signature but one!
38:41 - 8. Thou shalt include a button (stinger) ending!
40:58 - 9. Thou shalt not covet odd meters!
45:06 - 10. Thou shalt do whatever the library says!
49:42 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
50:56 - "Opening Night" by Mojo X

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Is One Cue Per Week Really Enough?

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0500

I’ve said before that you need 100’s of cues to make a living in the production music industry, but is one cue per week really enough? Today I’m going to unpack and illustrate how productivity and output might not be the linear journey we think it is.

Plus we take a listen to “Waltz of Shame,” the latest submission in my Year of Taxi and check in on any forwards or returns, and then we take a listen to a funky heist cue cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Dex Williams (https://soundcloud.com/dexwilliamsmusic).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/lSX0AdUabfw

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:30 - Year of Taxi Week 1 Check-In
08:35 - Is One Cue Per Week Really Enough?
35:56 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
37:10 - "Funky Heist" by Dex Williams
47:26 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Read the @#$%& Brief! (Anatomy of a Taxi Listing)

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0500

I’ve started my Year of Taxi, and I thought it’d be a good idea to start by talking about the anatomy of a brief and discuss how everything we need to know is right there in the listing!

Plus we take a listen to "Entered Into Evidence," the first submission in my Year of Taxi and check in on any forwards or returns, and we take a listen to a dark, moody EDM cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Rolf Schild!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Enm-xGPlxBo

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:11 - Year of Taxi Week 1 Check-In
09:03 - Read the @#$%& Brief!
41:01 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
42:15 - "Dark Odyssey" by Rolf Schild
50:42 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Get your own Read the @#$%& Brief! Shirt!
https://www.52cues.com/store/p/read-the-brief-t-shirt

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

2022 In Review (and What Comes Next!)

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500

We’ve come to the end of another year here at 52 cues, and it’s been a great one with lots of growth, opportunities, and challenges. So this week I wanted to take a moment to reflect on 2022, talk about some of the wins and losses, and look forward to what’s ahead for 2023!

Plus, we take a listen to "Natural Home," a neutral tasking cue by community member, Peter Lepahin (https://www.peterlepahin.com)!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/hMwT-ImZc7g

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
01:52 - 2022 In Review and What's Next!
48:38 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
49:52 - "Natural Home" by Peter Lapahin
01:01:15 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time - by Jim (not Kevin) McKelvey - https://amzn.to/3CpopIy

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How I Use Sketching for My Cues

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:00:00 -0500

On today's episode I want to talk about compositional sketching and talk about how I use a Logic Pro "sketchbook" to help capture ideas and buoy my creativity when I may be feeling a little empty or under a time crunch.

Plus, we take a listen to "Horn Toad Funk," a brassy funk cue by community member, Rob Raede!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/2TSWvQMnmro

Check out this sneak peak at Dave's Music Production Livestream!
https://youtu.be/WcUTrLEZ8Yk

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:13 - How I Use Sketching for My Cues
33:42 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
34:56 - "Horn Toad Funk" by Rob Raede
42:03 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Getting Into Game Music (with Adam Fligsten)

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 14:00:00 -0500

If there’s one side of the music industry I’m the most curious about, it would have to be game music! That’s why I’m excited to welcome Adam Fligsten, founder of the music production company Silen Audio, and we chat about his journey production music to game music and how the library music world overlaps with the game music world.

Plus, we take a listen to "Jingle Bells," a loungey arrangement of the Christmas classic by community member, Paul Croteau (https://yopauliemusic.com)!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/G3Ty3d1ewpE

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
03:32 - Adam Fligsten of Silen Audio
49:59 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
51:13 - "Jingle Bells" by Paul Croteau
01:00:24 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Adam Fligsten - https://adamfligsten.com
Silen Audio - https://www.silen.audio

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Why Do We Do This and Is It Even Worth It?

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 16:00:00 -0500

No script or curriculum today. Just a frank exploration of why any of us would really want to write production music.

Plus, we take a listen to "Stealth Retrieval," a funky cop tension cue by community member, Dan Gillogly (https://dancgillogly.com).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/T67jXZSmoWE

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
01:56 - Why Do We Do This?
33:07 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
34:21 - "Stealth Retrieval" by Dan Gillogly
43:07 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Bebop Killed Jazz: A Cautionary Tale for Media Composers | 52 Cues Podcast, 2022 Week 48

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0500

On this week's episode, I welcome our resident music historian, Shannon Kropf, to discuss the rise of jazz's popularity, the cultural reasons it formed the way it did, how bebop musicians played a big role in its ultimate demise, and what lessons are to be learned for us production music composers.

Plus, we take a listen to "KatzUndMaus," a plucky dramedy cue by community member, Leo Voin (https://soundcloud.com/rogue-composing).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/qJjjS2cigQQ

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
03:04 - Bebop Killed Jazz – A Cautionary Tale
50:08 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
51:22 - "KatzUndMaus" by Leo Voin
59:34 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Am I Wrong About Stock Music? (with Steven Beddall)

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0500

I recently had a chance to sit down with Steven Beddall of the Production Music Academy who’s found great success with stock music, and we discussed his journey from touring musician to composer, strategies behind making successful stock library cues, and how “royalty-free” might not be quite the dirty word I once thought.

Plus, we take a listen to "Cursed," a horror tension cue written by 52 Cues Community member, George Cicci (https://soundcloud.com/evasdad).

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
03:26 - Interview with Steven Beddall
55:33 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
56:47 - "Cursed" by George Cicci
01:09:53 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Production Music Academy
https://productionmusicacademy.com/

Steven's YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@ProductionMusicAcademy

Make Music Income Podcast
https://anchor.fm/makemusicincome

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

4 Things You Can Do With Your Unused Cues

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 13:00:00 -0500

The deafening silence of rejection can be cruel compensation for the hours we spend toiling away trying to make it in this business, but what if I told you that we can the masters of our fate, the captains of our own musical soul when it comes to cues that haven’t found a home.

On this episode, I unpack 4 things you can do with your unused or unloved music!

Plus, we take a listen to "Designed Elegance," an advertiser friendly elegant cue written by 52 Cues Community member, Rolf Schild (https://www.youtube.com/@RolfSchild).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/KG8YhRyYOcM

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:13 - What to do with your unloved cues?
02:58 - 1. Stock Music Marketplaces
10:24 - 2. Re-Pitch!
17:15 - 3. Publish It Yourself!
26:35 - 4. Follow Up with the Library
35:38 - Bonus: Just Move On!
41:23 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
42:38 - "Designed Elegance" by Rolpf Schild
49:18 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Saying the Quiet Parts Out Loud with Anne-Kathrin Dern

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 18:00:00 -0500

It’s not always easy to against the grain and break through glass ceilings, but every now and then someone comes along with the courage to say the quiet parts out loud and speak truth to power.

On this week's episode, I sit down with composer, Anne-Kathrin Dern, and we discuss her path through the European and US educational systems, how she transitioned into a career in film music, and how her YouTube channel seeks to pull the curtain back on the good, the bad, and sometimes ugly business of Hollywood.

Plus, we take a listen to "P3," an electro-acoustic tension cue written by 52 Cues Community member, Ilia Alania (https://soundcloud.com/ilialania)!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/mngqRB5VhFw

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:57 - Interview with Anne-Kathrin Dern
39:16 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
40:30 - "P3" by Ilia Alania
45:31 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

http://www.annedern-filmcomposer.com/

Go subscribe to Anne-Kathrin's channel!
https://www.youtube.com/@AnneKathrinDernComposer

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

PMC & Taxi Road Rally Review

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Within the past six weeks I've attended both the Production Music Conference and the Taxi Road Rally, and today I give my unbiased and honest thoughts while comparing and contrasting each one to help you decide which conference might right for you.

Plus we take a listen to "Autumn Colors," a corporate piano-based cue written by 52 Cues member, Shane Jensen (https://soundcloud.com/user-518930157)!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/pz3-uohrH18

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:38 - What is PMC 2022? What is the Taxi Road Rally?
06:41 - Comparing the Venue
17:13 - Comparing the Tech and the Schedule
26:00 - The Main Difference Between These Events
37:52 - Would I Go Again?
44:13 - Which Should You Attend?
47:47 - What Did I Learn?
01:00:26 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
01:01:39 - "Autumn Colors" by Shane Jensen
01:10:15 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

PMC 2022 Panels
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbLP8sskgKM&list=PLYYZquuC1Sdc9Xlo59vYICVFzFfyCXqFy

Taxi Road Rally
https://www.taxi.com/taxi-road-rally/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

5 Ways to Stay In the Creative Flow State

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0400

When we’re composing, we strive to maintain this creative flow state, but some days that feels harder than others, so on today’s episode, I unpack 5 things you can do to help keep you in that flow state, feeling more creative, and more productive.

Plus we take a listen to "Fight or Flight" an action trailer cue written by 52 Cues community member Topi Jokinen (https://soundcloud.com/topi-jokinen)!

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:38 - How I Define "Flow State"
06:21 - 1. Set an Intention
11:16 - 2. Minimize Distractions
18:01 - 3. Prepare the Creative Space
23:03 - 4. Keep Your Tools at the Ready
34:04 - 5. Separate the Production from the Composing Process
44:52 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
46:06 - "Fight or Flight" by Topi Jokinen
01:00:37 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Ax9lCrzqesI

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Do We Really Need a Web Presence?

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 15:00:00 -0400

As production music composers, how much attention should we give to having a website, Instagram, or Tik Tok? To help me answer this, I’ve invited Shannon Kropf back to podcast, who is no stranger to branding and marketing strategies!

Plus we take a listen to “Keep on Keepin’ On,” a bluesy southern rock cue written by 52 Cues community member, Gar Ashby (https://soundcloud.com/gar-ashby).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/URyeJcXYaxA

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
03:24 - Do Production Music Composers Need a Web Presence?
01:02:47 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
01:04:00 - "Keep On Keepin' On" by Gar Ashby

Shannon K Creative
https://shannonkcreative.com

Follow Shannon on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/shannonkropfcreative

Follow Dave on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/davekropf

Follow 52 Cues on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/52cues

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/URyeJcXYaxA

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

(Yet) Another Q&A Episode!

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0400

How do you discover new plugins? How is Taxi dispatch different than regular taxi? What exactly are “neutral tasking” cues? What types of cues are most in demand? Do you have to write whole albums to get in with a library? What % of my cues have actually gotten placed? Can you even make a full-time income doing this?

I answer these and more of your production music questions on (yet) another Q&A episode! Plus we take a listen to “So Long Sweetly,” an emotional solo piano cue Michael Bears (https://soundcloud.com/michael-bears-647280744).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/94plxVnKoks

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:32 - How do you find new plugins?
06:17 - How is Taxi Dispatch different from Regular Taxi?
09:33 - Do I still use the R4 reverb?
13:55 - What are "neutral tasking" cues?
19:28 - What are the most in-demand tracks?
25:48 - What's the best The Unfinished Omnisphere sound set to start with?
27:46 - Do you *have* to write full albums for libraries?
30:49 - What % of my signed cues have gotten placements?
33:45 - How many libraries pay consideration fees?
36:47 - Can you make a full-time living doing production music?
41:59 - How do you handle albums with libraries?
47:50 - Can you clarify terms like "publisher" and "sync"?
53:31 - Can you explain "edit points"?
01:02:24 - Is it ok to have a wide LUFS range in my cues?
01:08:54 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
01:10:07 - "So Long Sweetly" by Michael Bears
01:19:21 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Get your own "read the @#$%& brief" t-shirt!
https://www.52cues.com/store/p/read-the-brief-t-shirt

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Writing Cues for Sports (with Rob Aster)

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0400

On today’s episode, I sit down and chat with Rob Aster of RRHOT who is one of only a handful of publishers for CBS Sports. His over 35 years in the business brings with it a ton of knowledge and perspective, and we discuss his journey in the industry, and he unpacks the 7 specific types of cues that gets used in live sports.

Plus, we take a listen to a sad piano and strings cue written by 52 Cues Community member, Chris Hall! (https://soundcloud.com/user-510633289)

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/fZgnsudhPyI

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
03:29 - Writing Cues for Sports with Rob Aster
01:11:13 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
01:12:27 - "Untitled" by Chris Hall
01:23:57 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What's Luck Got to Do With It?

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 12:00:00 -0400

How big of a factor does luck play in our careers? On today’s episode we turn to the research of Dr. Richard Wiseman, Professor of Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, and we examine the 4 Principles of Luck and discuss how they might apply to us as production music composers.

Plus we feature "Sleeping Baby, a solo piano lullaby cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Yuka Reschke (https://soundcloud.com/yuka-982386000).

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/8uMNt6EIQw0

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:32 - Is it all luck?
05:32 - 1. Maximise Chance Opportunities
18:35 - 2. Listening to Lucky Hunches
28:56 - 3. Expect Good Fortune
40:52 - 4. Turn Bad Luck to Good
52:28 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
53:42 - "Sleeping Baby" by Yuka Reschke
01:04:01 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Links
Dr. Richard Wiseman's Principles of Luck
https://richardwiseman.wordpress.com/research/luck-and-self-development/

The Luck Factor by Richard Wiseman - https://amzn.to/3CTVnkD

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Make Your Publisher's Job Easy (with Michael Laskow)

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

When we pitch our cues to libraries, we want to make the process as smooth and painless as possible, so on today’s episode, I sit down and chat with Michael Laskow (Taxi.com) who works with publishers every day, and we discuss what we composers can do to reduce friction when it comes to getting our music into libraries.

Plus, take a listen to “Tradecraft,” an espionage tension cue written by 52 Cues Community member, Youssef Rddad.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/oowLfDs1yYM

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:56 - Reducing Friction with Publishers with Michael Laskow
58:13 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
59:27 - "Tradecraft" by Youssef Rddad
01:08:37 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How is Production Music Different than Film (and Other) Music?

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 13:00:00 -0400

There are some key differences that separate production music from other careers like film music, game music, and even songwriting, and today I want to discuss what really separates production music from other music for film, tv, games, and advertising.

Plus we feature a cue written by a member of the 52 Cues community, and this week, we’re gonna take a listen to “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean,” written by Nathan Toft (https://soundcloud.com/ntoft) which a sing-song arrangement of a classic folk song and features him on trombone!

Watch this Episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/5ybnFmyPGxk

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:16 - How is Production Music Different Than Film Music?
20:28 - How is Production Music Different Than Game Music?
29:45 - How is Production Music Different Than Songwriting?
38:33 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
39:46 - My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” by Nathan Toft
47:44 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

4 Ways to Jumpstart Your Creativity!

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 19:00:00 -0400

We’ve talked about how important sustainable creativity is for the production music composer, but what happens when you got nothing or a deadline hangs over you like the sword of Damocles? On this week's episode, I’m going to give you 4 ways that I jumpstart my own creative process when time is short or energy is low.

Plus I’ll be joined by Jeff Hargrove (https://soundcloud.com/user-195099370) whose cue, “No Place for Merry Gentlemen,” was voted as the winning submission for our July 52 Cues Production Derby challenge where participants had just 48 hours to write an epic hip-hop Christmas cue!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/9f6b5mIJCiE

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:40 - Overview
04:20 - 1. Recycle Sounds from a Previous Cue
15:04 - 2. Referencing (and Modeling)
23:55 - 3. Clear Your Head
27:46 - 4. Just. Play!
34:12 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
35:25 - No Place for Merry Gentlemen" by Jeff Hargrove
01:11:54 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

"The Creative Quest" by Questlove - https://amzn.to/3xs45U6

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Inconvenient Truths About Production Music

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Being a production music composer is not always lollipops and sunshine, and truth is, there are some pretty sobering and inconvenient truths about this industry that you should know before you go all in. So today, we’re going to say the quiet parts out loud, and talk the aspects of the gig which you just need to get ok with.

Plus, we’re going to take a listen to "Sunshine Girl," an upbeat acoustic cue written by 52 Cues Community, Ralph Oleski (https://soundcloud.com/user-936339303)!

Plus we feature a cue written by 52 Cues community, and this week, we’re gonna take a listen to “Sunshine Girl,” an upbeat acoustic cue by Ralph Oleski.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/-TPllxYYFUg

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:14 - You have to be patient
10:33 - You have to be ok with the money
18:18 - You have to approach this as a business
26:13 - You have to be ok with not always writing what you want
33:59 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
35:13 - "Sunshine Girl" by Ralph Oleski
41:41 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Collaborations and Conferences with Tracey and Vance Marino

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On today’s episode, I sit down and chat with Tracey and Vance Marino, authors of “Hey That’s My Song," and we discuss their experiences in navigating the co-writing process and how they make sure their marriage doesn’t suffer in the crucible of creativity.

Also, we chat about the upcoming PMA conference and Taxi Road Rally, the differences between the two, and how you can best maximize your conference experience if you’re planning on making the trip to LA this fall.

Plus, we’re going to take a listen to a jazzy lounge cue written by a member of the 52 Cues Community, on this week’s episode of the 52 Cues Podcast!

Plus, we take a listen to a jazzy, lounge cue written by 52 Cues Community member, Ed Smaron! (https://soundcloud.com/esmaron)

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Sa-D34rOwCE

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
04:14 - Interview with Tracey and Vance Marino
54:01 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
55:14 - "Daiquiris and Filberts" by Ed Smaron
01:05:21 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

"Hey That's My Song" - by Tracey and Vance Marino
https://amzn.to/3TBZgB6

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

5 Steps to Starting Your Career In Production Music

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 22:00:00 -0400

It used to be the TV industry’s best kept secret, but more and more composers are getting hip to how they can carve out a career for themselves writing production music. That’s why today I want to go over the 5 steps you’ll need to take to start your career in this business!

Plus, we take a listen to a Native American-inspired cue written by 52 Cues Community member, Ralph Martin! (https://soundcloud.com/user-442678903)

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/7VgZC-NI6ow

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:16 - Overview
04:55 - 1. Get the Tools
11:42 - 2. Get the Knowledge
16:09 - 3. Get Better
22:53 - 4. Get Brave
30:05 - 5. Get On With It!
39:03 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
40:35 - "Darkness Comes" by Ralph Martin
48:30 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Writing Production Music for TV: The Road to Success by Steve Barden
https://amzn.to/3Apszyf

The Composers Guide to Library Music by Dan Graham
https://librarymusicbook.com

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

We Need to Talk About Waves Plugins

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Fair warning: today’s podcast is a little ranty because we need to talk about Waves, their marketing strategies, and what you should know before you start dropping real money on plugin deals which seem too good to be true.

Plus we feature “To The Finish Line,” an indie/alt rock cue by 52 Cues community member Darin Pekham!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/lIW9pe1hCkY

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:12 - We Need to Talk About Waves!
28:57 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
30:10 - "To the Finish Line" by Darin Peckham
36:25 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Many Ways I Make Money Making Music

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Nearly every composer I know doesn’t just compose for a living. They often find themselves cobbling together a career from many different aspects of the industry, from writing to arranging to gigging to teaching. So today, I thought I’d talk about all of the various ways I, personally, make money making music.

Plus, we’re gonna be taking a listen to “Limitless,” a cinematic pop vocal cue (yes, the rare vocal cue) by 52 Cues Community member, Caroline Moore (https://www.carolinemooremusic.com)

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/ddL6uwYnEP8

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:22 - How I Make Money Making Music
38:40 - Join the 52 Cues Community!
39:54 - "Limitless" by Caroline Moore
53:52 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Riverside.fm
https://bit.ly/RiversideLink

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Are You Too Old to Start a Music Career?

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 21:00:00 -0400

On today’s show, I sit down and chat with longtime 52 Cues member, and now recent Full Sail graduate, Greg Fellman, who left his career in social work to pursue his dream of being a media composer.

Plus, we listen to three of his cues which were recently selected to be featured during the 2022 Full Sail Hall of Fame induction ceremony!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/RAhvC7xZOR0

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
03:16 – Interview with Greg Fellman
39:54 – Join the 52 Cues Community!
41:07 – "Lollygaggin' Around"
46:20 – "A Skirmish of Wit"
49:02 – "The Funk Detective"
52:55 – Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Greg Fellman's Website – https://www.windsandproductions.com

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

4 Ways To Be A Better Composer (Without Focusing on Composing!)

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 16:00:00 -0400

When we set out to get better as composers, we often think of all the music theory or technical aspects we need to tackle. But what if I told you there are ways to improve your compositions without focusing on the composing process itself?

So on today’s episode, I want to unpack 4 ways to get better at writing music that have next to nothing to do with music theory or production techniques.

Plus we feature a cue written by a member of the 52 Cues community, and this week, we’re gonna be taking a listen to “Never Look Back,” a campaign underscore cue by Reed Gesteland (https://www.taxi.com/members/C6O_tuNERYKzOl5QJvAXNw-reed-gesteland), which was returned by Taxi so we’ll see if we can to the bottom of why that might not have made the cut.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/g4Havt-3-IE

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:16 – 1. Work With What You Have
12:24 – 2. Don't Overthink It
20:54 – 3. Get Candid Feedback
32:02 – 4. Just. Keep. Writing!
42:44 – Join the 52 Cues Community!
44:01 – "Never Look Back" by Reed Gesteland
57:30 – Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Will Artificial Intelligence Ever Replace Composers?

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Why do we get such anxiety over how technology and AI might one day make us all obsolete? To help us understand why we might get so wound up about the threat of technology, I thought it’d be a good idea to get an historical perspective, so I welcome back Mrs. 52 Cues herself, Shannon Kropf, who takes us on multiple centruries-long journey to show us that technological apprehension is nothing new!

Plus, we take a listen to a guitar driven, muddy blues cue written by 52 Cues Community member, Doug Knight (https://www.taxi.com/members/Gjdf7sdFR5-G1jYZ7wPtrA-doug-knight)

Watch This Episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/DEW5fAjfM3Y

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
03:18 - Is A.I. Taking Our Composing Jobs?
53:38 - oin the 52 Cues Community!
54:52 - Miss My Mama Blues by Doug Knight
01:07:23 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

5 Career-Killing Habits You Should Stop Now!

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0400

I thrive when I’m able to work a routine, but one of the down sides of being a creature of habit is when bad habits start to undermine both your productivity and creativity. So today, I wanted to talk about the 5 bad habits which might be getting in the way of your production music career.

Plus, we take a listen to a mysterious dramedy cue written by 52 Cues Community member, Trace Callahan (https://soundcloud.com/trace-callahan)!

Watch this episode on YouTube! - https://youtu.be/rblcN3VvKZ8

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:59 – 1. Not Having a Clear Goal When Writing
08:55 – 2. Not Giving a Library What They Want
18:05 – 3. Procrastination, Distractions, and Resistance
27:08 – 4. Making Excuses, Rationalizing, and Shifting Blame
34:42 – 5. Overpromising and Underdelivering
41:59 – Join the 52 Cues Community!
43:12 – ""Peeking Over the Wall"" by Trace Callahan
53:36 – Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

"The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles" by Steven Pressfield - https://amzn.to/3aFIfVc

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

All About the Production Music Association with Morgan McKnight

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0400

Today, I sit down and chat with the executive director of the Production Music Association, Morgan McKnight, who answers questions about the organization, what the PMA does for composers in the business, the specific challenges composers of library music face, and how the PMA annual conference in LA is a perfect opportunity for both publishers and composers to connect and network.

Plus, we take a listen to "Pegasus Rising," a pop EDM cue written by 52 Cues Community member, Jerome Detotto! (https://soundcloud.com/jerodetmusic)

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
03:37 – Interview with Morgan McKnight of the PMA
54:10 – Join the 52 Cues Community!
55:24 – "Pegasus Rising" by Jerome Detotto
1:06:42 – Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

The Production Music Association
https://pmamusic.com/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Never Say Never (or Always)

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400

It seems like a lot of professionals in the music industry like to deal in absolutes, so on today's episode I thought it’d be a good idea to talk about why we should probably get rid of absolute words like "never" and "always" from our production music vocabulary.

Plus, we take a listen to an orchestral election coverage cue written by 52 Cues Community member, Jeff Hargrove (https://soundcloud.com/user-195099370)!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/RmUC0eIKdRQ

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
03:44 – The 2 words you should get rid of in your composer vocabulary
42:48 – Join the 52 Cues Community!
44:01 – "Results RN" by Jeff Hargrove
1:00:07 – Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Catch Dave on on Taxi TV!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxOfhNqHo2o&lc

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Making Music Income with Eric Copeland

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400

I recently had a chance to sit down and talk with Eric Copeland from Make Music Income who has made it his personal mission to help other composers find the many ways they can support a career in music. He shares his own journey from the Nashville studio scene to production music and we chat about his multifaceted approach to making a sustainable living with music.

Plus, we take a listen to an orchestral hip-hop tension cue written by you, a member of the 52 Cues community on this week’s episode of the 52 Cues Podcast!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/qBeMU37c8y8

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:29 – Interview with Eric Copeland
50:18 – Join the 52 Cues Community!
51:32 – "Past Tense" by Alan Moore (https://soundcloud.com/alan-moore-music)
1:02:32 – Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Make Music Income
https://makemusicincome.com/
https://youtube.com/makemusicincome

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Truth About "Passive" Income

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0400

If you’ve done any research on building a music career, chances are you’ve come across the idea of “passive income," which sounds great! The idea of cranking out some cues and then raking in the royalties without having to lift another finger is certainly appealing!

But what if I told you that “passive income” isn’t really passive at all? We’re gonna take a look at passive vs. active income and discuss why I think that the “passive income” sales really pitch doesn’t tell the whole story.

Plus, I sit down and talk with Scott McLaughlin and we unpack his winning cue from the inaugural 52 Cues Production Derby, a tension cue which features sounds all sampled from items found in the kitchen!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/JRUiLrNBMNw

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:59 – The Truth About "Passive" Income
21:06 – Join the 52 Cues Community!
22:20 – "25th Hour" by Scott McLaughlin (https://soundcloud.com/user-669432967)
41:43 – Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Do We Really Need to Know Music Theory?

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 06:00:00 -0400

We’ve heard of very successful composers who’ve made great careers for themselves without really knowing how to read music (Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Vangelis, Irving Berlin all come to mind), but does reading music equal understanding music?

Which begs the question: do we have to know music theory as production music composers? I've invited Mrs. 52 Cues herself, Shannon Kropf, who’s quite literally written the book on music theory, to help answer this question!

Plus, we take a listen to a delicate emotional cue with a variable tempo (and talk about whether or not that’s ok) written by 52 Cues Community member, Jim DiGritz!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/R4UXaNtKofA

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
03:04 – Do We Really Need to Know Music Theory?
38:07 – Join the 52 Cues Community!
39:20 – "Glass Lakes" by Jim DiGritz (https://soundcloud.com/jimdigritz)
52:43 – Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Basic Music Theory for the DAW Composer - June 16 @ 5p ET.
Open to all Friends and Family subscribers of 52 Cues! – https://my.52cues.com

More about Shannon
https://www.shannonkcreative.com

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Tips and Strategies for Maximizing Taxi

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0400

There are a lot of mixed feelings about Taxi with some claiming it’s a pay-to-play scam while others sing their praises across the Internet. Either way, there’s no arguing that some people find great success through Taxi and swear by it.

On today's episode, I sit down and chat with two of our own 52 Cues members, Chris Moser and Jeff LaPlante, who seemed to have cracked the code!. We talk tips, strategies, understanding Taxi’s real strengths, and discuss the lessons learned in Taxi’s seemingly enigmatic and elusive screening process.

Plus, we take a listen both of their cues which helped them be named to Taxi’s top 10 members list for May 2022!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/WHF13vTPWYI

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:33 – Tips and Strategies for Taxi
41:33 – Join the 52 Cues community!
42:45 – "Spy Thing" by Chris Moser (https://www.taxi.com/members/melodea)
45:53 – "Neon Nights" by Jeff LaPlante (https://www.taxi.com/members/laplante)
48:08 – Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Write, Submit, Forget, Repeat by Dean Krippeahne
https://amzn.to/3tbUHSJ

Demystifying the Cue by Dean Krippeahne
https://amzn.to/392fukw

Demystifying the Genre by Dean Krippeahne
https://amzn.to/3PZOPFS

Writing Production Music for TV: The Road to Success by Steven Barden
https://amzn.to/3zdkJsp

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Soundcloud vs Reelcrafter vs Disco

Thu, 26 May 2022 05:00:00 -0400

What is the best way now to put your music out there to pitch to libraries? On today's episode, I take a look at the three biggest players in the catalog management and playlist space: SoundCloud, Reelcrafter, and Disco– their strengths, their weaknesses, and costs. Which service is right for you? Plus we take a listen to an Eastern-inspired cue written by 52 Cues Community, Michael Sinay!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/beIAhxNLQ3U

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:54 – What do you want your playlist/catalog service to actually do?
05:50 – Soundcloud
12:49 – Reelcrafter
21:14 – Disco
28:59 – Which service is right for you?
30:29 – Join the 52 Cues community for free!
31:43 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Gazing Eastward" by Michael Sinay (https://soundcloud.com/user-194186927)
42:16 – Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Soundcloud
https://soundcloud.com/

Reelcrafter
https://www.reelcrafter.com/

Disco
https://disco.ac/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Keeping It Real with Jesse Josefsson of Sync My Music

Thu, 19 May 2022 08:00:00 -0400

If you’ve been digging around YouTube for Production Music resources for any length time, then I can almost guarantee you’ve come across Jesse Josefsson and the @Sync My Music YouTube channel.

So I was super excited to be able to chat with him recently about his journey to production music, handling rejection, and the mentality you have to have for the long-haul that is the world of sync music.

Plus, we talk a listen to "Cheeky Little Monkeys," a happy, quirky cue written by 52 Cues Community member, Mark Morgan-Shaw!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/sw9apt7jM3g

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
03:28 – Interview with Jesse Josefsson of Sync My Music
42:56 – Join the 52 Cue Community for free!
44:10 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Cheeky Little Monkeys" by Mark Morgan-Shaw (https://soundcloud.com/cosmicdolphin)
52:20 – Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Sync My Music
https://www.syncmymusic.com/

Sync My Music on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/syncmymusic

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Best YouTube Channels for Media Composers

Thu, 12 May 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Back in week 10, I warned about subscribing to educational services that seem to overpromise but will probably underdeliver. Today, instead of talking about what's not working, let’s talk about the YouTubers out there doing it right and had the most influence on me! Plus we listen to hybrid orchestral hip-hop cue from 52 Cues community member, Omar Blyde!

Watch This Episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/w4-yg1p3SxY

Another Q&A Episode! | 52 Cues Podcast, 2022 Week 10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL58HALd_j0

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
04:04 – The Best YouTube Channels for Media Composers
39:41 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Lost Oceans" by Omar Blyde
(https://soundcloud.com/user-756858907)
52:21 – How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Complete channel links available at https://youtu.be/w4-yg1p3SxY

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Should Composers Ever Work for Free?

Thu, 05 May 2022 06:00:00 -0400

We all have to start somewhere, and building a career in any creative industry often involves paying your dues, but does that mean we should be giving our music away? We talk about that, plus we listen to an industrial tension cue from 52 Cues community member, Pete Mason!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/pkRFkG_6tkU

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:01 – Feedback from last week's episode!
03:46 – Should composers ever work for free?
26:50 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Many Unanswered Questions" by Pete Mason (https://soundcloud.com/solid-air-music)
36:24 – How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Are Audio Software Subscriptions Worth It?!

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 19:00:00 -0400

The Internet of things has meant an explosion of opportunity for composers, but with that companies have started to think of new ways of doing business and a new business model: software subscription services. Is this really all that bad? Plus, we listen to a cute, "silly" chiptune cue from 52 Cues community member, John Chambers!

RANT WARNING: I kind of go HAM on AVID!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Os1TW_ZUNIQ

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:24 – How did software subscriptions really start?
04:00 – East West Composer Cloud
15:04 – Musio & Reason +
22:17 – Epic AVID Pro Tools Rant
32:47 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Two Player Power Up" by John Chambers (https://soundcloud.com/johnchamberscomposer)
40:01 – About the 52 Cues Community!

East West Composer Cloud+
https://www.soundsonline.com/composercloud

Musio
https://www.musio.com/

Reason+
https://www.reasonstudios.com/

AVID Pro Tools
https://www.avid.com/pro-tools/comparison

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Sound Design and Soundtracks with The Unfinished's Matt Bowdler

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Soundsets from Matt Bowdler have quickly become a staple in my synth toolkit, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with the imagination behind The Unfinished. Join us as we talk about sound design, creating synth presets, and what it's like to be on the production team for an Oscar winning soundtrack. Plus, we listen to a "corporate cue" by 52 Community member, Andrew Thomas.

Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/4oXLIbJuVWM

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:24 – Interview with Matt Bowdler (aka the Unfinished)
47:48 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "MellowCorp" by Andrew Thomas (https://soundcloud.com/anthom)
1:00:22 – How you can support the 52 Cues Community!

Go visit https://www.theunfinished.co.uk!

Subscribe to The Unfinished on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/MattBowdlerMusic

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

SOLVED! Which DAW is the Best?

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 16:00:00 -0400

On today's episode, I finally lay to rest which is the best DAW for production music composers! Plus, we listen to a lo-fi cue by Kris Claerhout.

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:29 – Composers love talking about DAWs
04:33 – Pro Tools
10:28 – Logic Pro
17:51 – Cubase
23:39 – Ableton Live
31:30 – Honorable Mentions (Reason, FL Studio, Reaper, Studio One, Digital Performer)
42:16 – The Verdict: Which DAW is the Best?
47:32 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Alley Lights" by Kris Claerhout (https://soundcloud.com/jellybeard)
32:23 – About the 52 Cues Community!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How to Write Titles that Get Placements!

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0400

Before a music supervisor ever listens to a note of your cue, they’re going to read the title! What are some of the best practices we should be using for our titles to ensure our cues catch the eye of an editor and give us the best shot of getting placed? Plus, we listen to an action cue from 52 Cue Community member, Timothy Ackerman!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qx6aIYw49M

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
01:47 – This Week at 52 Cues
03:04 – Let’s Talk About Titles
33:14 – 52 Cues Community Cue, “Legends Never Die“ by Timothy Ackerman (https://soundcloud.com/user-188947873)
44:02 – About the 52 Cues Community!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The New 52 Cues!

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0400

The 52 Cues Community has grown to nearly 1000 members over the last 3+ years, but we've now outgrown what we can do on Facebook. On today's episode, I talk about where we're moving, why this is going to be great for the community, and how you can join us today! Plus, we listen to an Asian-infused action cue from 52 Cues community member, Michael Reschke!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/KZfWzIHpJyQ

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:01 – 52 Cues is Moving!
05:50 – What about Facebook and Patreon?
12:20 – The New 52Cues.com website
14:23 – 52 Cues Membership Levels
27:05 – The New 52 Cues Community
31:29 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Run For It" by Michael Reschke (https://soundcloud.com/michael-reschke)
43:41 – How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Nice Guys Finish First (with Marlon Gibbons)

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 16:00:00 -0400

Who says the music business had to be cutthroat? This week, I sit down with production music's nicest Canadian, Marlon Gibbons and we discuss how being nice and easy to work with pays off! Plus, we listen to a funky cue from 52 Cues community member, Chris Moser!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/1m5uL2j1ijE

00:00 – Intro
02:19 – Interview with Marlon Gibbons
36:55 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Say What" by Chris Moser (https://www.taxi.com/members/melodea)
47:10 – 52 Cues Community & Patreon Information

Stop what you're doing and go subscribe to Marlon's channel now!
https://www.youtube.com/MarlonGibbons

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Another Q&A Episode!

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0400

How do we tackle transitions and loops in our cues? Where can we find a list of libraries to pitch to? Should we track our cues with Tunesat? What about genres, up front fees, and references? And can all those online production music schools really deliver on their promises? I answer your questions, plus we listen to an uplifting piano cue from a member of the 52 Family on today's XXL episode!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/EL58HALd_j0

00:00 – Intro and Welcome
02:54 – How do you deal with transitions in looping segments?
11:51 – Where can I find a list of libraries?
18:01 – Is Tunesat worth the price of tracking your cues?
25:34 – How do you determine "genre"?
34:57 – How often do you get upfront fees, and what about the promises online music academies make?
48:27 – What are some of the "classics" of library music, and how do you find references?
54:19 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Clouds or Mountains" by Andrew Thomas (https://soundcloud.com/anthom)
01:06:45 – 52 Cues and Patreon Information

DaVinci Resolve (the video editor I couldn't remember!)
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/

Production Music Association
http://pmamusic.com/

Bleeding Fingers
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2sKnEAtZjkR0vCHUn2HKL0

Extreme Music
https://www.extrememusic.com/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Back Up Everything, Then Back Up Your Backups!

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 12:00:00 -0500

If you're not backing up your system and client files on a regular basis then you are playing with fire while wearing gloves soaked in gasoline. On this week's episode, we talk about my backup and redundancy methods as well as check out a stomps and claps cue from 52 Cues Family member, Jesse Garrigan!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/ItNsJk9ErOg

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:34 – My Backup Strategy
30:13 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Stomp Clap Drumline" by Jesse Carrigan (https://soundcloud.com/jessecarrigan)
40:40 – 52 Cues & Patreon Information

Backblaze
https://secure.backblaze.com/r/02j359

Black Magic Multidock
https://amzn.to/3hSJUGW

Samsung EVO SDD
https://amzn.to/3hSJUGW

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

My Path to Production Music

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 11:00:00 -0500

There are many paths to the journey to becoming a production music composer. Today, I thought I'd share my journey to how I came to get my music on TV. Plus, we listen to an 80's inspired synth-pop cue from 52 Cues family member, Jeff LaPlante!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/UEoHkmhpnuo

00:00 – Intro
02:21 – My Path to Production Music
34:57 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Dreaming in Color" by Jeff LaPlante (https://soundcloud.com/jeff303)
44:06 – 52 Cues Community and Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

We Need to Talk About Splice

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 14:00:00 -0500

Pull up a chair, friends. We need to talk about Splice, how I feel it is getting unfairly maligned, and the trend of prohibiting the use of any Splice sounds in production music. Plus, we listen to an epic orchestral trailer cue from 52 Cues community member, Pranav G!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/lA-FLpqrT0I

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:13 – Why are libraries singling out Splice?
06:56 – That time Splice "stole" samples
14:44 – This is going to affect plugin makers too
16:21 – What does this mean for production music hip-hop producers?
25:19 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Greens" by Pranav G (https://soundcloud.com/pranav701/)
36:11 – About 52 Cues and Patreon Information

Copyright and originality on Splice Sounds
https://splice.com/blog/copyright-originality-splice-sounds/

KSHMR Vol. 3/DOOM 2016 comparison/plagiarism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qALlrXGnxeo

KSHMR Apology to Mick Gordon
https://twitter.com/KSHMRmusic/status/1078792246135205889

KSHMR Responds to Allegations of Ripping Off DOOM Samples
https://www.dancemusicnw.com/kshmr-response-ripping-off-doom-samples/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How to Handle Criticism Like a Pro

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 14:00:00 -0500

As media composers we all have to learn how to handle getting feedback on our work, and on today's episode I run down the four ways that I personally handle criticism. Plus, the we listen to a plucky dramedy cue from 52 Cues member, Enrico Caporale.

Watch this episode on YouTube!

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:22 – Why is criticism so hard to take sometimes?
05:14 – Consider the source
08:28 – It's (usually) not personal
14:04 – Distill what's true and use it!
19:32 – Don't feel the need to defend yourself
25:54 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Irritatingly Jolly People Skipping About" by Enrico Caporale (https://soundcloud.com/user-542988836)
38:42 – About 52 Cues & Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Why "52" Cues with Dan Graham

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 19:00:00 -0500

On this week's podcast episode, I sit down with composer, publisher, and Gothic Storm founder Dan Graham as we discuss the origins of the "52 Cues" concept, his life as a publisher, and how he balances all of his spinning plates. Plus, we listen to a new percussion cue from 52 Cues community member, Ryan Inlow!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va6IQTgSsZM

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:07 – Interview with Dan Graham
27:39 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Funky Monkey" by Ryan Inlow (https://soundcloud.com/ryaninlow)
35:50 – About 52 Cues and Patreon Information

A Composers Guide to Library Music by Dan Graham
https://librarymusicbook.com/

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
https://amzn.to/35VYz1b

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

5 Things Many Students Get Wrong About Being a Composer

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 15:00:00 -0500

I talk about the 5 things I've discovered over my 21 years in higher eduction that students tend to get wrong about being a composer. Plus, we take a listen to "You Have Wings" from 52 Cues Community Member, Michal Pacalaj!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsgleFi6qkQ

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:54 – A brief history of my teaching journey
05:16 – Students often have myopic visions on what their career will look like
12:11 – Students often want instant results
15:25 – Students often only write what they know
19:21 – Students often miss a lot of details
24:08 – Students sometimes learn that they don’t want to do this, and that’s ok!
31:57 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "You Have Wings" by Michal Macalaj (https://soundcloud.com/michal-pacalaj)
42:18 – Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How To Use References Responsibly

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0500

As production music composers we often get reference material from our publishers and clients, but how do we actually use these references? And how can we keep from ripping off another composer? Plus, we listen to an orchestral tension cue from 52 Cues community member, Richard Bagley!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8D01tjIawU

00:00 – Intro
01:46 – Mining the Reference
16:11 – How to Keep from Cloning or Plagiarizing a Reference
23:21 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Out of Time" by Richard Bagley (https://soundcloud.com/user-540578549)
32:23 – Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Quality vs. Quantity: Is One Cue Per Week Enough?

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0500

Is writing just one cue per week enough to have a career in production music? We talk about that, how to balance quantity vs. quality, and we listen to a tension cue from 52 Cues community member, Angel Jimenez!

Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/bfBoCi4OQY0

00:00 – Intro
01:49 – How many cues per week do we need to write?
26:01 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Caravan" by Angel Jimenez
39:13 – Patreon Information

"A Composer's Guide to Library Music" by Dan Graham
https://librarymusicbook.com/

"How to Write 52 Cues in a Year"
https://vi-control.net/community/threads/how-to-write-52-cues-in-a-year.119871/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

So You Want To Make Sample Packs?

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0500

If you've ever had an interest in making and releasing your own sample packs, then you don't want to miss my interview with producer, composer, and beatmaker, Corey Phillips, aka Colormind. Plus we listen to a happy clappy cue from a member of the 52 Cues Community!

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
01:38 – What is 52 Cues?
05:38 – Creating Sample Packs with Corey Phillips (aka Colormind)
33:29 – 52 Cues Community Cue, "Summer Traveler" by Michal Sinka
39:44 – Outro & Patreon Information

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/izghH3jT1gU

Corey Phillips (aka Colormind)
https://www.coreyphillips.com/
Find Corey on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhJYnekyga7xENLjRkPjdA/videos
Beats and Instrumentals
https://colormind.beatstars.com/
Instagram – Colormindmusic

Michal Sinka
https://michalsinka.com

52 Cues discussion on VI-Control
https://vi-control.net/community/threads/how-to-write-52-cues-in-a-year.119871/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

I Wrote at Least One Cue Per Week for a Year – What I Learned

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0500

Here we are at the end of our journey! How'd I do on my quest to write at least 1 cue per week? What are the lessons I learned along the way? What's next for the channel? I answer all of these questions, as well as unpack an intrigue tension cue featuring my own custom Omnisphere patch on this final, super-sized Week 52 Check-In.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/LzhVQnbxnCs

00:00 – Intro
01:56 – Year Recap
08:02 – Lesson 1. Find something that helps keep you accountable
12:43 – Lesson 2. It’s ok to take breaks, but don't procrastinate!
16:12 – Lesson 3. Make a Routine
18:20 – Lesson 4. Make a Plan
21:25 – Lesson 5. Keep the main thing the main thing!
26:25 – What's next for the channel?
35:21 – Cue Breakdown
59:29 – Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

You Need These Two Items If You Write Tension Music!

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0500

If you write any kind of tension music, you need these two items in your arsenal. Plus, I unpack an intrigue tension cue titled, "Incision Decision" on my week 51 Vlog Check-In.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/LpBm3PIMJTI

00:00 - Intro
01:47 - The two pieces of gear you should have for all tension music
15:27 - Cue Breakdown
33:37 - Outro & Patreon Information

Cello Bow - https://amzn.to/3pEQ0z6
Mike Balter Friction Mallets - https://amzn.to/3qzyvzF
22" Stagg China Cymbal - https://amzn.to/3qFc2RP
(Amazon affiliate links)

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Is This Job Even Fun for Me Anymore?

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Deadlines and clients and gigs, oh my! I focus so much on deliverables that it's got me asking myself, "is this job even any fun anymore?" I discuss this as well as unpack a jazzy spy cue on my Week 50 vlog check-in.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/iUIr04OhBxA

00:00 - Intro
01:52 - Vlog: Is this gig even fun for me anymore?
15:01 - Cue Breakdown
30:17 - Outro & Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Does Expensive Gear Really Make a Difference?

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Does having the fanciest audio interface, most expensive mics, or nicest instrument have a real, meaningful impact on your production music process? I discuss this and unpack a Gypsy jazz dramedy cue on my Week 49 check-in!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NblYB1sKtQI

00:00 - Intro
01:36 - How does nice gear impact the production process?
21:14 - Cue Breakdown
37:18 - Outro & Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Why I Use So Few Plugins when Mixing and Mastering

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0500

I do the vast majority of my mixing and mastering with only a handful of plugins! On my week 48 check-in I talk about my simple approach to getting a good sound with less processing as I unpack a new swampy, bluesy cue featuring recorded bass, drums, and harmonica!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/QZ-mdWbBek0

00:00 - Intro
02:54 - How and why I mix using only a few plugins.
16:55 - Cue Breakdown
34:18 - Outro & Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Over Promising and Under Delivering

Sun, 05 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0500

On my week 47 check-in, I discuss how I found myself over-promising and under-delivering when I allowed a lucrative new gig to create the perfect storm of commitments.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/IY8g2z5_z-4

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

I Quantize Everything (and So Should You)

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0500

I quantize all of my MIDI, and I'm not ashamed to admit it! On my Week 46 check-in, I discuss quantization and how I keep things from sounding too mechanical as well as unpack a tension cue which incorporates Omnisphere sounds from The Unfinished (https://theunfinished.co.uk) chosen at random!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/nF9fLYWbfUA

00:00 - Intro
01:48 - Why I quantize all of my MIDI
03:50 - How I keep things from sounding too mechanical
14:24 - Cue Breakdown
27:03 - Outro & Patreon Information

Serato Sample
https://serato.com/sample

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How I Use Ozone for Quick and Easy Mastering

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0500

I was terrified of mastering until I embraced Izotope's Ozone mastering plugin. On my Week 45 vlog, I take you through my entire mastering process as I use Ozone to master my latest tension cue, "Focus on the Fingerprints."

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/eUg2Wyfd8VE

Ozone Course from MacProVideo
https://macprovideo.com/course/ozone-9-mastering-toolbox

00:00 - Intro
02:32 - Don't Be Afraid of Mastering
06:22 - Overview of Ozone
09:09 - EQ
11:16 - Low End Focus
12:32 - Dynamic Compression
14:44 - Exciter
17:14 - Imager
19:52 - Mid/Side EQ
22:09 - Maximizer (Limiter)
26:51 - Final Master and Cue Breakdown
37:30 - Outro & Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

I Use This Song Form on (Nearly) Every Cue

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0500

On my week 44 check-in, I discuss why I use the same song form on nearly every production music cue, and I unpack that form on a recent flamenco-infused dramedy cue.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/PM1slrenAHU

00:00 - Intro
01:54 - Form and Structure in Production Music
31:42 - Outro & Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Production Music Isn't Art

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Is production music art? I talk about that, discuss my guiding philosophy that helps to drive my output, and break down a trap-infused dramedy cue on my Week 43 check-in.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/SInaooqYOQk

00:00 - Intro
01:38 - The “Artisan” approach
17:48 - Cue Breakdown
33:37 - Outro & Patreon Information

Serato Sample
https://serato.com/sample

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Chopping Samples in Serato Sample for Production Music

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0400

I'm talking all about samples on my Week 42 vlog check-in and discussing how the Serato Sample plugin allowed me to incorporate skills and techniques from my days as a DJ! Then I breakdown a sample-based hip-hop cue which has zero virtual instruments!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/erLDs7hSzI0

00:00 - Intro
01:43 - How Serato Sample redefined my use of samples
18:31 - Cue Breakdown
33:08 - Outro & Patreon Information

Serato Sample
https://serato.com/sample

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Organize Your Catalog (or Else)!

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On my Week 42 vlog check-in I go over how I organize my catalog and files, I discuss some tools I use to keep large projects organized, and I share a cautionary tale of what happens when the system breaks down! Plus, I go over a recent pop/edm/synthwave cue!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/55qO-774nG4

00:00 - Intro
01:59 - A cautionary tale of what happens when the organizational system breaks down.
09:48 - Using Asana to organize a large project
15:49 - Cue Breakdown
25:40 - Outro & Patreon Information

Asana Project Management System
http://asana.com/

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Learning That This Career Is Not For Me

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0400

I'm exhausted after an intense Week 40 which found me working in a field I *thought* I wanted to explore more. Then I breakdown a recent dramedy cue that breaks not one, but TWO of my cardinal rules of production music.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/vaby9UwrjKI

Underqualified Advice: (and Other Amusing Diversions) by Drew Hayes
https://amzn.to/3ool6tO

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Get More Placements by Thinking Like an Editor!

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On my Week 39 vlog check-in, I discuss why we as composers need to think like an editor and the things we can do to make their life easier (and get us more placements!). Plus, I unpack a holiday-flavored dramedy cue which features the lydian dominant mode!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/efU3tUCSNzE

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Answering More of Your Industry Questions

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week's super-sized vlog check-in, I answer more of your questions about the production music industry, then I unpack my Week 38 cue which features sounds recorded from kitchen utensils!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/NK7xF55cl4w

Note: Links to products here may contain affiliate links which generate a small commission. This helps to keep things cooking along on the channel and is of no cost to you.

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:51 - What are your strategies for working with libraries?
09:16 - What is your approach to get realistic string sounds?
14:39 - Can you help explain royalties?
20:14 - Do you upload your cues to Soundcloud before or after they’ve been accepted to a library?
22:08 - Should I register my music with my PRO before posting to YouTube?
24:23 - What is my best placement?
29:21 - Cue Breakdown

All You Need to Know About the Music Business: 10th Edition
by Donald Passman
https://amzn.to/3mcCJeb

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The One Thing I Do To Add Realism To All My Cues

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On my Week 37 vlog check-in, I talk about the one thing I do to add realism to nearly every cue, and I unpack a dramedy tension cue!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/Y7s7WfAcVkc

00:00 - Intro
01:16 - The One Thing I do to add realism to my cues
12:06 - Cue Breakdown
22:49 - Outro & Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Get It In Writing: Work-For-Hire and Co-Writer Contracts

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0400

It’s a supersized vlog check-in for Week 36 as I unpack, line-by-line, the Work-For-Hire and Co-Writer contracts I use for my cues. Plus, I go over a recent Donnie Wayne Smith rock collaboration cue, "Sturm Und Drang."

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/hbrkAMcx6W8

00:00 - Intro
01:48 - Why Use Contracts?
03:22 - Work-For-Hire Contract
13:46 - Co-Writer Contract
25:37 - Cue Breakdown
37:12 - Outro & Patreon Information

Work-For-Hire Contract:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AKSvhHMjaOBAK-KFROgepkT0mekIbL30cmdKpL1Es4M

Co-Writer Contract:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lk0qkyQTULV0ZkgllmaJAUzqi1NSh4spbaQA5WJXI3o

Note: These documents are provided as a courtesy and for demonstration purposes only. This is not intended to provide legal advice, and Dave Kropf and/or 52 Cues cannot be held liable for your usage of this document. It is strongly recommended you seek legal counsel before entering into any contractual agreement.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How to Find the Right Sounds Fast!

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On my Week 35 vlog check-in, I answer a viewer question about how to best go about finding the sounds you need for your cues. Then I unpack another intrigue tension cue written during last week’s preview music production livestream.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/xgpLKaJzy_Q

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How Many Hats Do Production Music Composers Wear?

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

As production music composers, we're often forced to wear many hats. On my Week 34 vlog check-in, I discuss all of the various aspects of this career that have little to do with actual composition. Then I discuss a recent cue written in 7/4 which utilizes several sounds from the new Albion Solstice library from Spitfire Audio.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/qn-LmEJTBb8

00:00 - Intro
02:03 - Production music composers wear many hats!
15:25 - Cue Breakdown
32:51 - Outro & Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How Many Hats Do Production Music Composers Wear?

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Honesty Is the Best Policy (Duh!)

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On my Week 33 vlog check-in, I share a story of having to disappoint a client but still deciding that being honest is the best way to maintain the professional relationship. Plus I unpack an intrigue tension cue written in the past week!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/pV4ctDGBFGU

00:00 - Intro
04:04 - Honesty is still the best policy!
18:17 - Cue Breakdown
33:26 - Outro & Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Honesty Is the Best Policy (Duh!)

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Where do ideas come from?

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week's check in, I talk about sustainable creativity and where most of my ideas come from. Plus, I unpack a drumline-infused high energy hip-hop cue which was inspired by the strangest of places!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/J-WpcOZ5ZYQ

“My Own Drum” (Remix) Music & Lyric Video ft. Missy Elliott | Vivo | Netflix Futures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRZvsm-SYYk

00:00 - Intro
01:46 - Where do I get my ideas?
12:24 - Cue Breakdown
31:34 - Outro & Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Where do ideas come from?

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Why Should I Be Using a Template for My Cues?

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week's 52 Cues check-in, I talk about how I use templates to streamline my composing process, plus I unpack a cue featuring all Omnisphere sounds chosen at random!

Watch this video on YouTube
https://youtu.be/k-IxmnQIsUY

My Logic Pro X Template
https://bit.ly/dklpxtemplate

00:00 - Intro
01:59 - About Using Templates
07:26 - My Template
16:21 - Cue Breakdown
30:22 - Outro & Patreon Information

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Why Should I Be Using a Template for My Cues?

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What’s the one thing I wish I'd known about having a career in music?

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week's 52 Cues check-in, I answer the question, "what the one thing I wish I'd known about having a career in music?" Then I unpack a brooding light tension cue from Week 30!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/-DGiILHMbZI

00:00 - Welcome and Intro
01:35 - What the's one thing I wish I'd known about a career in music?
14:23 - Cue Breakdown
33:11 - Outro & Patreon Information

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What’s the one thing I wish I'd known about having a career in music?

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week's 52 Cues check-in, I answer the question, "what the one thing I wish I'd known about having a career in music?" Then I unpack a brooding light tension cue from Week 30! (And yes, that's me at 4 or 5 years old in the thumbnail!)

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/-DGiILHMbZI

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get feedback on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

00:00 - Welcome and Intro
01:35 - What the's one thing I wish I'd known about a career in music?
14:23 - Cue Breakdown
33:11 - Outro & Patreon Information

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Don't Throw Away Your Unused Cues!

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On my week 29 vlog check in, I discuss what to do with unused/unpublished cues, and I unpack a hip-hop tension cue from a recent livestream.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M8dQo0H9qQ

00:00 - Welcome and Intro
01:40 - What should you do with unused, unpublished cues?
09:24 - Cue Breakdown
26:10 - Outro & Patreon Information

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What's the Best Mouse for Music Production?

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week’s 52 Cues Check-In, I discuss which is the best mouse for use in the DAW. Then we look at an urban contemporary hip-hop cue from Week 28.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/9H9yl2x0MY8

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
01:46 - Why the Mouse is Important for Music Production
03:24 - The Standard Mouse and Trackpad
06:39 - Logitech G600 Gaming Mouse
10:27 - Kensington Expert Wireless Trackball Mouse
14:18 - Cue Breakdown
25:14 - Outro & Patreon Information

Logitech G600 MMO Mouse
https://amzn.to/3IH0GV0

Kensington Expert Wireless Trackball Mouse
https://amzn.to/373B5Ih

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

Note: links posted on this page may be affiliate links which give a small commission at no extra cost to you.

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How Do You Battle Imposter Syndrome?

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week’s 52 Cues Check-In, I discuss imposter syndrome and why it might not be a bad thing! Plus, we look at the EDM cue that sent me on a spiral of self-doubt.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/IpLJ0VsuIcE

00:00 - Intro and Welcome
01:31 - My run in with imposter syndrome this week!
14:52 - Cue Breakdown
32:18 - Outro & Patreon Information

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Do You Have to End Your Cue on the I/i Chord?

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400

I talk all about buttons and cue endings on today's 52 Cues vlog check in. Plus, I unpack my recent lo-fi (ish) hip hop cue!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tiu16R1aciQ

00:00 - Intro
01:38 - Let's Talk About Buttons!
10:43 - Cue Breakdown
24:31 - Outro & Patreon Information

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

3 Tips for Realistic Drum Programming

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0400

I talk all about drum programming on this week’s 52 Cues Check-In and three ways you can make your MIDI drums sound as realistic as possible. Plus, I take a close-up look at the drum programming on a recent rock cue.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ACZ7Ixt4aY

00:00 - Intro
01:52 - About Drum Programming
03:15 - Drummers Don't Have 8 Arms
07:37 - Work Your Velocities
11:50 - Simpler Is Better
15:26 - Cue Breakdown
34:20 - Outro & Patreon Information

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How To Handle Rejection From a Publisher

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week’s 52 Cues Check-In I discuss how to handle rejection, avoid feeling like a failure, and overcome that dreaded imposter syndrome. Plus, we take a look at my rejected pop/EDM/hip-hop cue!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5974lbJJ-x8

00:00 - Intro
02:12 - Dealing with Rejection & Imposter Syndrome
13:48 - Cue Breakdown
28:22 - Outro & Patreon Information

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What Genre of Library Music Sells Best?

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400

On this week’s 52 Cues Check-In, I discuss what style of library music you should be focusing on and which sells best. Plus I talk about my latest intrigue tension cue, "Cat Burglar."

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Hp8sp6Qzrk

00:00 - Intro
01:35 - What style of library music should you focus on?
11:12 - Cue Breakdown
23:22 - Outro

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How to Stop Procrastinating and Get Back to Composing

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week’s 52 Cues Check-In, I talk about how you can stop procrastinating and get back to composing. Plus I talk about the ins and outs of a recent ominous tension cue.

Watch this episode on YT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJt808Jlzf4

00:00 - Intro
02:39 - Vlog - Overcoming Procrastination
14:08 - Cue Breakdown
26:48 - Outro & Patreon Information

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

I Don't Write Music Every Day, and That's OK

Mon, 31 May 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week’s 52 Cues Check-In, I talk balancing life, projects, and burnout. Plus I unpack a magical dramedy cue.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/kOqDCChpTbo

00:00 - Intro
01:58 - Why I don't write music every single day
10:34 - Cue Breakdown
26:10 - Outro

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Do you have to go to school to be a composer?

Tue, 25 May 2021 07:00:00 -0400

During this week’s 52 Cues Check-In, I discuss whether or not you *have* to go to school to be a professional composer. Plus, I unpack a Central Asian-inspired cue written for a recent Taxi listing!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/mtAy5xhXCY0

00:00 - Intro
01:46 - Let's Talk About Schooling
04:33 - Gain Skills
12:15 - Gain Experience
15:02 - Networking Opportunities
19:15 - Cue Breakdown

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

3 Ways to Pay Work-for-Hire Musicians to Play on Your Cues

Mon, 17 May 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week’s 52 Cues Check-In, I talk about ways we can pay work-for-hire musicians to play on our cues. Plus, I unpack a Muppet Show inspired cue featuring Joshua Glenn Wilson on piano!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/Dm37kZ-app0

You can contact Joshua Glenn Wilson here:
https://www.joshuaglennwilson.com/

Sample Work-for-Hire Agreement
https://docs.google.com/document/d/168wn4cXlP8_huvPHDq6NCPGHobVGNQex18w99woZqtg/edit?usp=sharing

00:00 - Intro
06:05 - Pay $$$
09:13 - Pay with Royalty Share
13:16 - Trade (Barter) Services
15:58 - Work-for-Hire Contracts
18:38 - Cue breakdown

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

The Power of Collaboration

Mon, 03 May 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week’s 52 Cues Check-In, I talk about how collaboration can yield amazing results that far exceed anything a single composer could do on their own, and I unpack a shredding hard rock cue featuring my personal guitar hero, Donnie Wayne Smith.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/ifJDeCYTK68

Check out Donnie’s YouTube channel!
https://www.youtube.com/donniewaynesmith

This week’s cue breakdown starts at 17:58

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Answers to Your Questions About Production and Library Music

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Join me as I give quick-fire answers to questions posted in the 52 Cues Facebook group from a wide range of topics about the production music industry including copyright, income, NFTs, productivity, royalties, loudness, IMDb, landing your first library, EQing and more! I also unpack a happy ukulele cue which features ukulele percussion effects!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/x9CPbibpH_8

03:47 - Do you have to copyright your own cues?
04:25 - How do you musically communicate emotion?
06:23 - Can you Tap Tempo in Logic Pro?
07:30 - What's up with NFTs?
08:36 - How many tracks do you have in libraries?
09:25 - How doable is it to make 100k or even 50k in income?
11:50 - How many tracks do you need for full-time income?
13:05 - Do you layer drums?
13:25 - How do you start each song?
14:09 - How do you find your first library to submit cues?
16:08 - Is it essential to have an IMDb profile?
17:28 - When will royalties go away?
19:09 - What loudness levels should you shoot for when mastering?
20:01 - What was your path to the industry?
22:05 - It it more important to find 1-2 libraries or should you diversify more?
25:03 - What is your approach to EQing?
27:11 - Cue Breakdown

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

I Mix and Master in Headphones and I'm Not Even Sorry!

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week’s check-in, I unpack a happy ukulele cue and come clean about how I mix and master in headphones and why I do it!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/lgHUsC5Vtb4

This week’s cue breakdown starts at 13:20

SoundID Reference by Sonorworks
https://www.sonarworks.com/

Sony MDR-7506 Headphones
https://amzn.to/3vFEFCy

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Headphones
https://amzn.to/3sO8z5B

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which generate a small commission to me at no extra charge for you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

What One Habit Increased My Productivity?

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week’s check-in, I unpack an uplifting positive cue and tell you about the one habit that dramatically increased both my creativity and productivity.

This week’s cue breakdown starts at 12:41

The Miracle Morning for Writers by Hal Elrod and Steve Scott
https://amzn.to/3vN0IaA

The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod (not an affiliate link)
https://amzn.to/3HUhPcB

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How Long Does It Take To Get Paid Royalties?

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

On this week’s 52 Cues vlog I unpack an electro tension cue and talk about royalties, cue sheets, and how long it can take to get paid!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/f7hTUkEp0fk

This week’s cue breakdown starts at 15:26

A Composer's Guide To Library Music Discussion - (Facebook Group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/composersguide

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Can Creativity Be Taught?

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0400

I dive into a Thomas Newman-inspired cue on this week’s vlog and answer a viewer question on whether creativity and music composition can be taught. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/eFsc41BXJnk

This week’s cue breakdown starts at 12:00

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

We Never Stop Learning

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/PYBVEEl6nmo

Week 11 Cue Breakdown starts at 12:48

Kraft-Engel Management:
http://kraft-engel.com/
PERSPECTIVE Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/556877397821248

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

When Is the Right Time to Turn Down Work?

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/f2nWUOu8--Q

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Jump to the cue breakdown - 14:47

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

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5 Ways to Get Out of Your Creative Slump

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Xquu6jYGieQ

00:00 - Welcome
03:11 - 1. Take a break!
05:16 - 2. Listen to references
07:35 - 3. Do something else creative (or, move on to a different project)
12:12 - 4. Stick to a schedule
13:58 - 5. Just keep writing - even if it stinks
16:33 - Week 9 Cue Breakdown

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Organize (and color) your cues for easy export!

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/joKooqvBb7U

01:50 - Organizing and coloring your tracks for exporting stems
11:00 - Week 8 Cue Breakdown

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How many libraries should you write for?

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/kM_n78N4IKM

Cigar box guitar kit from C.B. Gitty
https://www.cbgitty.com/kits-guitar-kits-amp-kits-more/the-reso-plate-3-string-license-plate-resonator-guitar-kit/

00:55 - Question: How many libraries do I write for and how many should I write for?
08:46 - Week 7 Cue Breakdown

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

Adjusting to a "new normal" is pretty normal for composers

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/PVXIjkBjOFM

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

5 ways composers should be more like Bob Ross

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/TZ2nAXhF-KQ

Bob Ross on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/BobRossInc

0:02:35 - 1. Don’t put pressure on yourself to make “art.”
0:05:14 - 2. Be generous with your time.
0:09:19 - 3. Be kind and easy to work with.
0:11:42 - 4. Be ok with (happy) accidents.
0:13:54 - 5. Just keep painting.

0:16:26 - Week 5 Cue Breakdown

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

When is it safe to use loops in production music?

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Ex8Aa1lV5K8

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

How do you land a publisher?

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/LUBp5JWiJpg

Taxi A&R - https://www.taxi.com/

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

It's OK to Ask for Help

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/OJQTjH7ZBK4

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!

You're never too "pro" to make a rookie mistake

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Ovn08kJEN1s

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.

Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!