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How is Production Music Different Than Film Music?
There are some key differences that separate production music from other careers like film music, game music, and even songwriting, and today I want to discuss what really separates production music from other music for film, tv, games, and advertising.
4 Ways to Jumpstart Your Creativity!
We’ve talked about how important sustainable creativity is for the production music composer, but what happens when you got nothing or a deadline hangs over you like the sword of Damocles? On this week's episode, I’m going to give you 4 ways that I jumpstart my own creative process when time is short or energy is low.
Featured Composer: Jeff Hargrove
Jeff has been on the record side of the gospel music industry and a minister of music for his church for over 20 years. Now for the first time, he’s pursuing my first love, music composition.
September Workshop: Decoding Cues Through Modeling
Do you want to learn the secrets of how successfully published cues are written?
Join Dave Kropf as he discusses and demonstrates “Compositional Modeling,” the process of decoding instrumental, rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic aspects of reference material in order to use them in your own cues!
Mastermind | Fall 2022
The 52 Cues Mastermind is the fastest--and perhaps most enjoyable--way to grow your music production skills, network with an elite tier of composers, and explore the discipline, mindset, and motivation needed to find succeed in this business!
Who Are Your People?
The first part of success in the music industry is definitely working on your craft, producing cues of higher and higher quality. The second part of success is relationships.
The Inconvenient Truths About Production Music
Being a production music composer is not always lollipops and sunshine, and truth is, there are some pretty sobering and inconvenient truths about this industry that you should know before you go all in. So today, we’re going to say the quiet parts out loud, and talk the aspects of the gig which you just need to get ok with.
Featured Composer: Ralph Oleski
Ralph Oleski is the 52 Cues Podcast Featured Composer for Week 25. Ralph has been gigging and teaching guitar for 30+ years, and has started composing over the last couple of years. Listen to his song, “Sunshine Girl.”
Dave Kropf and Steven Beddall Talk Music Careers
Dave recently joined Steven Beddall of Production Music Academy on his YouTube channel. Dave and Steven both run their respective music production communities, and are both full time composers/educators. Dave shares insights on how he manages his busy life, how he got started in sync licensing, and how he gets things done!
Collaborations and Conferences with Tracey and Vance Marino
On today’s episode, I sit down and chat with Tracey and Vance Marino, authors of “Hey That’s My Song," and we discuss their experiences in navigating the co-writing process and chat about the upcoming PMA conference and Taxi Road Rally!
Featured Composer: Ed Smaron
Ed Smaron used to play music for improv theater in Chicago, including for The Second City. While he admits that he thought his experience creating background music on the spot in front of live audiences would transfer easily to writing sync music in a studio, so far, he says that has not been the case!
5 Steps to Starting Your Music Production Career
It used to be the TV industry’s best kept secret, but more composers are getting hip to how they can carve out a career for themselves writing production music. So here are the 5 steps to starting your music production career!
Sneak Peek! Coming Soon!
Coming soon! Professor Dave’s Production Music Almanac: A Compendium of Compositional Consultation!
Project Sam Launch Features Dave Kropf
Last week, Project Sam launched Version 2 of the free orchestra. They asked Dave to demo the library, and he was happy to! Learn more about Version 2 and check out Dave’s Cue Breakdown, “Chumming the Waters,” using the new Project Sam free orchestra.
Featured Composer: Ralph Martin
Ralph Martin is multi-faceted musician, playing flute, sax, and congas. He’s also an arranger, composer, music director, teacher and Berklee College of Music alumni.
He’s working on a Native-American themed album. Listen to the latest track, “Darkness Comes” and tune into the 52 Cues Podcast to hear Dave’s comments!
Christmas in July Production Derby: RESULTS!
We had tons of great entries in the Christmas in July Production Derby! And now, the winners are in. Check out these killer tracks from Jeff Hargrove and Darin Peckham.
We Need to Talk About Waves
Fair warning: today’s podcast is a little ranty because we need to talk about Waves, their marketing strategies, and what you should know before you start dropping real money on plugin deals which seem too good to be true.
Plus we feature “To The Finish Line,” an indie/alt rock cue by 52 Cues community member Darin Pekham!
Featured Composer: Darin Peckham
Darin is a 30-year music pro. He’s found himself in many roles from Composer/Arranger, Producer/Engineer, Music Director. He’s currently pursuing his love of composition.
The Many Ways I Make Money Making Music
Nearly every composer I know doesn’t just compose for a living. They often find themselves cobbling together a career from many different aspects of the industry, from writing to arranging to gigging to teaching. So today, I thought I’d talk about all of the various ways I, personally, make money making music.
Cue Breakdowns: New Feature for Friends!
Cue breakdowns are quick, 15-20 minute guides which feature Dave Kropf talking through one of his published cues. It’s a great way to find new ideas, techniques, and sounds for your own cues!