Podcast
52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast
Hosted by Dave Kropf · EN
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.
45episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Stop Using Spreadsheets for Metadata with Cuemonic
Apr 1600:40:23Tap to summarizeIn 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/lRdh5l8OhxMhttps://cuemonic.comUse 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!Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!
Transcribe →Inside the Production Pipeline of Warner Chappell
Apr 900:44:33Tap to summarizeIn 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/PvFd3b2yT78https://www.davemilnemusic.comhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm8687247https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-milne-musichttps://www.keenwidget.comSupport for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, 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.comIt'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!
Transcribe →What It Takes to Score a Network Game Show
Mar 2600:57:58Tap to summarizeIn 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/dP71SNhtENoGreatest Average American on ABC: https://abc.com/show/a0f061ad-bc3e-49f4-926f-40f80f8c7090Evil Genius: https://www.facebook.com/groups/877961207308818Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, 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.comIt'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!
Transcribe →How Do You Actually Go Full-Time in Production Music?
Mar 1901:01:13Tap to summarizeIn 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/WqfsFl0hLrYhttps://www.stevenmcdonaldmusic.com/musicSupport for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, 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.comIt'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!
Transcribe →The Biggest Sync Mistakes We’ve Ever Made
Mar 1200:57:37Tap to summarizeIn 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/iR7q0SAklBQSupport for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, 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.comIt'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!
Transcribe →What Non-Drummers Get Wrong About Programming Drums
Mar 601:02:03Tap to summarizeIn 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/qMSUlzL6iZAConnect with Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelreschke1Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, 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.comIt'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!
Transcribe →How Do Composers Find New Libraries?
Feb 2701:00:23Tap to summarizeIn 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/kMeLqJJlOYISupport for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, 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.comIt'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!
Transcribe →TV Composer Reviews Your Production Music Cues Live!
Feb 2001:26:53Tap to summarizeIn this episode I review cues from the 52 Cues Community!Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/1hgYh8PZaRgSupport for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, 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.comIt'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!
Transcribe →Let's Talk Trailer Music (with Randon Purcell)
Feb 1301:00:47Tap to summarizeIn 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-soundBrand X Music: https://brandxmusic.netBrand X Music x Fallout Music Group Composer CompetitionBrand 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-freeLength: 1:30–2:00Written specifically for modern promo useMust feature Fallout’s Promo Horns instrument & sound packDeadline: Midnight (MST) on March 5, 2026Grab Promo Horns here:https://falloutmusicgroup.com/products/promo-hornsSubmit your cue to: info@falloutmusicgroup.comWinners 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!Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!
Transcribe →Do I Just Suck at Workflow?
Feb 500:52:53Tap to summarizeIn 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/kEP9IxeesfgGetting Things Done by David Allen - https://amzn.to/49ZFIRB Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte - https://amzn.to/4rxRIQ6Essentialism by Greg McKeown - https://amzn.to/46ngzhjMake Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky - https://amzn.to/3ZmgvKXSupport for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, 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.comIt'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!
Transcribe →