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How To Work Smarter, Not Harder | 52 Cues Podcast 2025, Week 1
In the latest episode of the 52 Cues podcast, Dave delves into the art of crafting compelling music cues that captivate listeners and meet industry standards. He shares personal anecdotes from his journey in production music, offering valuable insights into the creative process. Listeners will gain practical advice on structuring cues, selecting appropriate instrumentation, and understanding the nuances that make a composition stand out in the competitive world of production music. This episode is a must-listen for composers aiming to enhance their skills and succeed in the industry.
Looking Back on 2024 and What's Ahead for 2025 | 52 Cues Podcast, 2024 Week 52
As we wrap up 2024 and look ahead to 2025, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the milestones we’ve achieved and the exciting opportunities on the horizon. This past year, the 52 Cues community has grown in ways that inspire—welcoming new members, fostering creativity, and launching initiatives like Expedition 52. On the podcast, I also share personal reflections on the triumphs and challenges of 2024, emphasizing the importance of resilience and community in navigating the ever-evolving music landscape. As we embark on a new year, let’s set bold goals, embrace fresh challenges, and make 2025 a year of creativity and growth together!
The 3 Keys to a Long (and Happy!) Career | 52 Cues Podcast, 2024 Week 51
In this episode, Dave unpacks the three keys to a sustainable production music career: your superpower, your passion, and what libraries need. Find your sweet spot and thrive!
Why Does it Take So Long to Get Paid? | 52 Cues Podcast, 2024 Week 50
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
What Defines the "Mood" in a Cue? | 52 Cues Podcast, 2024 Week 49
In this epic 200th episode, Dave shares lessons learned from four years of the 52 Cues Podcast, working towards sustainability, growth, and embracing imperfection.
It's Episode 200! What Have I Learned? | 52 Cues Podcast, 2024 Week 48
In this epic 200th episode, Dave shares lessons learned from four years of the 52 Cues Podcast, working towards sustainability, growth, and embracing imperfection.
Understanding Ominous Tension | 52 Cues Podcast, 2024 Week 47
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.
Is Originality Overrated? | 52 Cues Podcast, 2024 Week 46
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.
How to Use Transition SFX | 52 Cues Podcast, 2024 Week 45
Boost your music with transition SFX! 🎶 Discover how booms, risers, impacts, and downers add drama and flow to your tracks. This guide breaks down each effect’s purpose, tips for organizing and layering SFX in your DAW, and techniques for mixing without muddying the audio. Perfect for adding intensity and depth to hip-hop or orchestral pieces—elevate your production with these essential tools!
What Makes a "Good" Cue? | 52 Cues Podcast, 2024 Week 34
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.
How Do I Stay So Positive? | 52 Cues Podcast, 2024 Week 33
Discover how to stay positive and motivated as a production music composer. Learn four key strategies to overcome industry challenges, celebrate small wins, and build a supportive community. Boost your mindset and thrive in your music career with these practical tips!
How To Use Your Superpower (with Nathan Toft)
In this episode of the 52 Cues podcast, Dave Kropf discusses production music challenges with Nathan Toft, a trombonist and winner of the "What's Your Superpower?" Composer Quest. Nathan shares his journey, trombone integration, and genre versatility. They also highlight leveraging unique skills and effective project management.
Production Music Is A Team Sport
Dave Kropf highlights the importance of community and mentorship in the production music industry. This episode features a unique gathering of the 52 Cues community in Orlando, where members shared music and life experiences, emphasizing support, collaboration, and how personal connections enhance professional growth.
More Inconvenient Truths About Production Music
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 drumming.
I Got Copyright Notices for Using AI Loops
Now, I know what you're thinking—you’re probably sick of hearing about AI. I know I’m sick of talking about AI and the constant handwringing about it, but recent events have brought AI screaming to the forefront.
During a recent live stream, I used Sumo AI to generate a custom reference track, but after the session, I was hit with not one, not two, but four copyright notices for the same section of the AI-generated drum loop.
Yeah, we've got some things to talk about.
Sync Gems, Part 1 (with Roy Matz)
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.
Production Music Q&A Live! Podcast Episode
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 of AI on music, and the evolving role of analog vs. digital equipment.
5 Career Lessons I Learned from Star Wars
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.
What’s Your Superpower?
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!
The Habits of Success (with Jelle Dittmar)
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, and Jelle's dedication to mentoring the next generation of talent. Perfect for composers at any stage, this episode is packed with actionable insights to fuel your musical journey.