Dave Kropf

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast

Education EN ↓ 303 episodes

Hosted by working composer and long-time professor Dave Kropf, the 52 Cues Podcast takes you inside the real world of production music, library music, and sync licensing – breaking down cues, unpacking industry insights, and sharing candid conversations with fellow composers and publishers. Weekly episodes deliver practical strategies, creative inspiration, and insider information to help you land more placements and build a sustainable career in sync.

Author

Dave Kropf

Episodes

Don't Throw Away Your Unused Cues! 27.07.2021 30:03

On my week 29 vlog check in, I discuss what to do with unused/unpublished cues, and I unpack a hip-hop tension cue from a recent livestream.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YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M8dQo0H9qQ 00:00 - Welcome and Intro 01:40 - What should you do with unused, unpublished cues? 09:24 - Cue Breakdown 26:10 - Outro & Patreon Information Join the 52 Cues Community!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://52cu...

What's the Best Mouse for Music Production? 19.07.2021 28:55

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 Wirel...

How Do You Battle Imposter Syndrome? 14.07.2021 35:54

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:...

Do You Have to End Your Cue on the I/i Chord? 06.07.2021 28:25

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...

3 Tips for Realistic Drum Programming 28.06.2021 37:50

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 Veloc...

How To Handle Rejection From a Publisher 21.06.2021 31:51

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 Informa...

What Genre of Library Music Sells Best? 14.06.2021 27:06

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 Communi...

How to Stop Procrastinating and Get Back to Composing 07.06.2021 30:37

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://52c...

I Don't Write Music Every Day, and That's OK 31.05.2021 29:44

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...

Do you have to go to school to be a composer? 25.05.2021 37:19

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 - Cu...

3 Ways to Pay Work-for-Hire Musicians to Play on Your Cues 17.05.2021 34:43

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/168wn4cXl...

The Power of Collaboration 03.05.2021 39:28

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 cu...

Answers to Your Questions About Production and Library Music 26.04.2021 39:43

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/x9CP...

I Mix and Master in Headphones and I'm Not Even Sorry! 19.04.2021 28:43

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 Joi...

What One Habit Increased My Productivity? 12.04.2021 35:28

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:/...

How Long Does It Take To Get Paid Royalties? 05.04.2021 34:46

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.co...

Can Creativity Be Taught? 29.03.2021 29:33

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...

We Never Stop Learning 22.03.2021 27:37

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 crit...

When Is the Right Time to Turn Down Work? 15.03.2021 32:59

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 link...

5 Ways to Get Out of Your Creative Slump 08.03.2021 29:06

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 ge...

Organize (and color) your cues for easy export! 01.03.2021 27:48

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://davekro...

How many libraries should you write for? 22.02.2021 21:20

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 Patre...

Adjusting to a "new normal" is pretty normal for composers 15.02.2021 22:10

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 link...

5 ways composers should be more like Bob Ross 08.02.2021 27:12

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!...

When is it safe to use loops in production music? 01.02.2021 20:45

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 link...