News | Podcasts | Articles
Do Libraries Owe Us a Response on Returns?
Last week I posed a burning question: should libraries reach out to composers whose music was forwarded by Taxi but not selected? This ignited a spirited discussion among composers, publishers, and everyone in between, shared via YouTube comments, our 52 Cues community, DMs, and emails.
Join me this week on the 52 Cues Podcast as we dive deeper into the Taxi debate with their President and CEO, Michael Laskow. We'll uncover the truth behind showbiz rejections, learn how to bounce back from bruised egos, and examine why Taxi-forward success might make make the silence sting that much more.
Why Did Waves Make Us So Angry?
Dave Kropf bikes around Orlando and muses on a wide variety of topics. Here, he wonders why the recent Waves subscription SNAFU made us so angry.
WGA Members Vote Overwhelmingly To Authorize A Strike If No Deal By May 1
“Our membership has spoken,” the WGA Negotiating Committee told guild members. “You have expressed your collective strength, solidarity, and the demand for meaningful change in overwhelming numbers. Armed with this demonstration of unity and resolve, we will continue to work at the negotiating table to achieve a fair contract for all writers.”
Featured Composer: Doug Knight
Doug is excited to be a part of this community of creatives! While new production music, he’s already seeing success with placements! He is learning as much as he can, and is enjoying the journey.
Is Tunesat Really Worth the $$$?
TuneSat can detect nearly any music placement on TV throughout the US and EU, and while it has its limitations, it can be a good way to see if your cues are getting traction. But what can we actually do with this information? And is it even worth the CRAZY subscription cost?
A Little Chat | Nine Keys While Uncluttering
Over the past three years, I've gone through a lot, from two major career changes to losing a dream job. Despite these challenges, I've managed to find success in my graphic design work, which has been great—but also unexpected.
This was never a part of my plan or vocational identity. So I've recently found myself asking, "Who am I, again? And what exactly am I doing with my life?" If you've ever felt this way, know that you're not alone - I'm going through it too.
Featured Composer: Enrico Caporale
Enrico Caporale lays some Cuban salsa on us! Visit the 52 Cues Community to check out the great feedback he got from community members!
How Will a Hollywood Writers Strike Affect Production Music?
A prolonged strike could narrow the opportunities for music synchs in shows and movies, which generated $318 million in 2022, or 2% of overall revenue, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
A Little Chat | Overwhelm
As much as I love my work, I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed lately. During the pandemic, I was working non-stop for my clients because—SUDDENLY—everyone needed everything online.
I went for about 2 years with no days off (not even weekends). I was doing the entrepreneurial “hustle” and becoming increasingly stressed out and unhappy. And to make matters worse, my dad passed away unexpectedly (not COVID). It was a lot to handle, you know?
10 Piano VSTs Compared!
While I’m not a pianist, I’ve certainly done a fair amount of piano programming as well as lot of research looking for that perfect piano sound. On today's episode I compare ten (yes ten!) piano libraries with examples from meditation to jazz and Beethoven to Debussy.
A Little Chat | Celebrating the Moment
Dave and I recently launched the Album Accelerator, which was a heavy lift. It was 35 gigs worth of information and six and a half hours of curriculum, so you can imagine the effort it took to put it together.
When we finally finished uploading everything, we were elated! But guess what happened next?
What do Editors Want?
It’s one thing to talk about what editors need, but it’s another to have the opportunity to hear straight from the source. So I was thrilled when I had the chance to chat with Josh Siegel, a film editor who makes his living making the shows that use so much of our music.
Featured Composer: Richard Bagley
Richard got tons of feedback on this trailer cue at the 52 Cues Community. In response, Bagley said:
“…[I] always really appreciate your comments, thank you. So important to get this kind of feedback, especially when you have been working on a track for some time and get so used to how it sounds. Together we are better - onwards and upwards!
Dave Guests on Songwriting for Guitar
We've got the talented Dave Kropf from 52 Cues joining us to chat about production music! We're diving deep into this niche world of sync licensing and Dave is here to drop some serious knowledge bombs.
Featured Composer: Jenny Goodspeed
Jenny Goodspeed is a singer, songwriter, band member, and aspiring production music composer.
“I watched Dave Kropf’s awesome mixing and mastering workshop and some other electronic music mixing tutorials, and took a stab at new pulsing tension cue.”
Waves Goes Subscription…Only?
With zero fanfare and not even a heads up email to their customer base, Waves has gone subscription… only. So we’re gonna talk about it, look at what’s being offered and at what price, and discuss about how Waves has, literally overnight, managed to piss off everyone.
5 Books That Changed My Thinking
On today’s show, I go over five books that have transformed my way of thinking and helped in my career as a professional composer, even though they’re not explicitly about the music industry.
Featured Composer: Simon Armitage
Over 40 years musical experience. I read sheet music and also play by ear. I played with the late great big band drummer 'Eric Delaney' for a couple of years on tour. I toured the Piano bar circuit in Norway/Sweden doing Piano/Vocals/Entertaining. I now have a regular gig playing the well known Gleneagles hotel in Scotland. I have a passion for many different styles of music. I produce original music for film, TV, videos, advertising and weddings, high-quality inspiring, romantic, and dramatic instrumental tracks in Cinematic, Pop, Jazz, Blues, Country, Rock, Classical, and Folk music genres.
Must-Have Plugins
Regardless of mood, emotion, or genre, I keep finding myself dipping back into the same handful of plugins time and time again. So on today’s show I share the sounds and FX which have become so deeply embedded into my workflow that they should be immortalized into my own personal Mount Rushmore of plugins.
Featured Composer: Claudio D
This week I’ve been working on “Night Owl,” a dark, mysterious and calm instrumental cue featuring a fujara flute, piano, and dulcimer. Perfect for night scenes and wildlife documentaries.
The track was already accepted today by a label I write for. It will be released later this year. 💥