52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast

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 What if you could turn a simple piano sketch into a cue that's ready for production music libraries, trailers, promos, and television placements? In this free worksh...

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 What if you could turn a simple piano sketch into a cue that's ready for production music libraries, trailers, promos, and television placements? In this free workshop, we'll...

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 What if you could turn a simple piano sketch into a cue that's ready for production music libraries, trailers, promos, and television placements? In this free workshop, we'll...

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 What if you could turn a...

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 What if you could turn a simple piano sketch into a cue t...

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 What if you could turn a simple piano sketch into a cue that's ready for production music libraries, trailers, promos, and television placements? In this free...

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 What if you could turn a simple piano sketch into a cue that's ready for production music libraries, trailers, pr...

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 mus...

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 Trav...

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://elv...

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 O...

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 Simo...

In this special live podcast episode, Dave reviews cues written by the 52 Cues Community! What if you could turn a simple piano sketch into a cue that's ready for production music libraries, trailers, promos, and television placements? In this free workshop, we'll pull back the curtain on my composition workflow that’s helped me become successful as a production music composer. Join us M...

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 What if you could tur...

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 What if you could turn a simple piano sketch into a cue th...

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 What i...

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 plac...

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 ht...

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: Mee...

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 Bon...

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 W...

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 transf...

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...

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...

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 drummin...