52 Cues Podcast

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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 episo...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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/8XJwSmHrx...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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 &...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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!
ht...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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, a...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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
...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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 b...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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 commercia...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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

Join t...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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 e...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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 pr...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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 th...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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 w...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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

Join the 12-week Mastermind with small group accountability and weekly meeting sessions that give you focused, personalized mentorship. Plus you get a private, 1-on-1 Zoom session where we work towards your g...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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 -...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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 - Int...

Reach out! Let us know your questions & comments.

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...