Shows / 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
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.
Episodes
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
How Do You Battle Imposter Syndrome?
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
Do You Have to End Your Cue on the I/i Chord?
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!…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
3 Tips for Realistic Drum Programming
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
How To Handle Rejection From a Publisher
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
What Genre of Library Music Sells Best?
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
How to Stop Procrastinating and Get Back to Composing
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
I Don't Write Music Every Day, and That's OK
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
Do you have to go to school to be a composer?
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
3 Ways to Pay Work-for-Hire Musicians to Play on Your Cues
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
The Power of Collaboration
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
Answers to Your Questions About Production and Library Music
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
I Mix and Master in Headphones and I'm Not Even Sorry!
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!…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
What One Habit Increased My Productivity?
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
How Long Does It Take To Get Paid Royalties?
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
Can Creativity Be Taught?
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
We Never Stop Learning
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
When Is the Right Time to Turn Down Work?
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
5 Ways to Get Out of Your Creative Slump
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
Organize (and color) your cues for easy export!
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
How many libraries should you write for?
Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/kM_n78N4IKM Cigar box guitar kit from C.B. Gitty…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
Adjusting to a "new normal" is pretty normal for composers
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
5 ways composers should be more like Bob Ross
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
When is it safe to use loops in production music?
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
How do you land a publisher?
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
It's OK to Ask for Help
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…
- 52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
You're never too "pro" to make a rookie mistake
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…