News | Podcasts | Articles
Turning Pro
What separates hobbyists from professionals in music composition is not talent, but mindset, accountability, dedication, and an ability to embrace failure! In this episode, we talk patience, persistence, self-actualization, and the acceptance of failure as part of the road to success.
Great Music Production Books by Dean Krippaehne
Dave devoured these three books in 2017 and 2018! Dean Krippaehne's music production books—"Demystifying the Cue," "Demystifying the Genre," and "Write Submit Forget Repeat,”— stand as an indispensable resource for anyone navigating the competitive world of music licensing and songwriting.
Americana Hip-Hop Cue Review
Join me as I give critique and feedback on an Americana Tension cue by 52 Cues Family member, Rolf Schild!
Demystifying the Cue with Dean Krippaehne
There's no shortage of YouTube channels about library and sync music but there aren't that many books about the production music industry. So when I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the few people really putting out great books about production music, I was more than happy to jump at the chance and welcome Dean Krippaehne to the podcast!
Growing in Circles
My own “life spiral” has sometimes looked remarkably coherent and blessed. At others it has resembled a weirdly misshapen cinnamon roll, rather than a perfect circle. It's supposed to be that way. Growth is imperfect and asymmetrical—and sometimes we have to go back and repeat something in order to learn the lesson from that experience.
You’re Never Too Pro to Grow
When you receive disappointing feedback, the first reaction is naturally discouragement. But Dave asks, “Where can I grow from this?” No matter how far you’ve come in your career, nothing is guaranteed. And you’re never too pro to grow!
Musical Solutions to Mixing Problems
In this episode, we delve into the challenges of juggling both composition and production tasks, and uncover the 'composer first' approach that prioritizes musicality in three key areas: balance, dynamic range, and stereo placement. Learn how this strategy can simplify your workflow, minimize the need for technical fixes, and elevate the emotional impact of your cues.
Country Hip-Hop Hybrid Cue Review
Join me as I give critique and feedback on a country hip-hop hybrid cue by 52 Cues Community member, Jeff LaPlante!
Q&A LIVE
Join me for a special Q&A episode recorded live! I answer your questions about streaming royalties, loudness and mastering practices, sound design, referencing in Ozone, the artisan approach, ride cymbal programming, overcoming fear of submitting to libraries, and many more!
Publisher Cue Review with Jason Moss
Get your cue reviewed by Bulletproof Bear co-founder and creative director, Jason Moss. Get real feedback from a working publisher in the industry!
Indie-Pop Positive Cue Review
Join me as I give critique and feedback on an indie pop positive cue by 52 Cues Community member, Chris Moser.
Standing Out in the Crowd
Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a unique brand in the music industry? Join me as I sit down with Jason Moss, the co-founder of Bulletproof Bear, to unpack his extraordinary journey from being a composer to becoming a music publisher. Jason shares his insights into the value of authentic relationships and how opening your circle to new individuals can make a significant impact.
Your Learning Journey
I once had the task of introducing tech-averse individuals to new technology. It made me reflect on the learning curve. Traditionally visualized as a steady uphill climb, I find this representation misleading. I’ve been lucky enough to teach thousands of students in my higher education career, and I’ve noticed a different pattern.
Fear vs. F.E.A.R.
So, the lesson here is to examine your fears – discern between the necessary caution and the self-imposed limitations. In facing these fears, we might uncover something precious we thought was lost or even discover something new.
Do You *NEED* a YouTube Channel?
What if YouTube could make a real difference in your career as a composer? This podcast episode provides an in-depth analysis of how to leverage YouTube for your career growth. Learn about digital sharecropping, cross-promotion tactics, and more!
Kitschy Jazz Cue Review
Join me as I give critique and feedback on a kitschy jazz cue by 52 Cues Community member, Brian Morales.
You Should Learn Guitar | with Guest Mike Meiers
As production music composers, we often find ourselves reaching for virtual instruments first, but we also know that recording live instruments can bring magic to a cue!
On today's episode, I welcome Emmy Award-winning composer, songwriter, guitarist, and host of the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast, Mike Meiers, to talk about how he uses real instruments on his tracks, and how we shouldn't be afraid to pick up a guitar – even if we don't really know what we're doing!
Unplugging
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to self-care, and that's perfectly fine. Recharging will energize you and enable you to be there for your family, friends, work, or anything that requires your attention.
Who Writes Those Plugin Demos?
One of my favorite things to do whenever any new synth, sample set, or patch library comes out is to take a listen to the demos, but who actually puts these demos together, and how do you land that gig?
Well, we are super fortunate to have a very accomplished demo writer right here in the community, and I’m thrilled to welcome Michal Sinay to this week’s episode of the 52 Cues Podcast.
The “Someday” Trap: Let’s Live Now
Hope is what keeps us going, day after day. We hope that tomorrow will be better than today. And there's something beautifully creative about hope, isn't there? As creators by nature, we constantly seek improvement, forever dreaming of a brighter future, and hope is our companion on the journey.
But is there a catch?