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Getting Unstuck
Have you ever felt resistance to the smallest tasks? Recently, a minor chore presented itself, and I was overwhelmed with reluctance. A trivial 30-second task suddenly felt like climbing a mountain. It wasn’t the task itself, but the emotion behind it, which was problematic. I realized this resistance highlighted a pattern: I’ve been avoiding many such tiny tasks, letting them accumulate into an overwhelming list. And that doesn’t feel good.
Hello From PMC!
Jerome Detotto, Paul Croteau, Greg Fellman, Michal Sinka attended the annual Production Music Conference 2023. It’s always great to be in the same room—not just a Zoom room!—and get a little time together.
We hope you had a productive and inspiring trip!
Write. Submit. Forget. Repeat! Q/A and Cue Review with Dean Krippaehne
Join composer, author, and Taxi whisperer, Dean Krippaehne, for an open Q&A and Cue review session. Get feedback from an industry pro with nearly 20 years in the production music industry.
Open to all 52 Cues Friends and Family Subscribers!
FRIGHT NIGHT Composer Quest
It’s that spine-tingling time of year again! Introducing the 52 Cues Fright Night Composer Quest, where we'll fill the crisp autumn air with echoes of haunted harmonies!
Slink, crawl or skitter over to the FRIGHT NIGHT Composer Quest info page to find out more.
Who Needs Spitfire's Abbey Road 1st Violins??
Spitfire's latest orchestral release, Abbey Road Orchestra 1st Violins, offers an unparalleled level of detail and programming control, but with an eye-watering price of $449 for just one section, it begs the questions: who is this really for? Has Spitfire lost their way, and is it a smart purchase for the production music composer?
Indie Acoustic Cue Review
Join me as I give critique and feedback on an indie acoustic cue by 52 Cues community member, Robert Raede!
Passing on Notes: The Tale of Freddie Keppard
When it comes to jazz, there are names that resonate through the annals of history. Louis Armstrong, Buddy Bolden, and King Oliver are just a few. But today, I want to introduce you to a name that might not be as familiar: Freddie Keppard.
If you're already acquainted with Keppard, you'll know the significance of his story. For those who aren’t, Freddie Keppard might have been the best cornetist to ever live. But the world will never truly know, and here's why.
Orchestral Sports Cue Review
Join me as I give critique and feedback on an orchestral sports cue by 52 Cues community member, Mike Breidegam!
Can Subscriptions Actually Be Done Right? (A Roundtable Discussion)
YouTube Description: Dave delves into the debate around software subscriptions, drawing insights from 52 Cues Family members from across the globe. In this roundtable discussion, we explore the complexities of subscriptions, from user perceptions to the strategies of companies like Waves and Adobe.
Dave Writes Omnisphere Demo Using only Random Patches!
Dave was thrilled to be invited to work up a demo track for The Very Loud Indeed Co.'s new Omnisphere Fjall soundset! And what's more interesting, every sound in this track was selected completely at random!
We’ll post a video of the composition process soon!
Emotional Piano and Strings Cue Review
Join me as I give critique and feedback on an emotional piano & strings cue by 52 Cues community member, Reed Gesteland!
Exploring Sound Design with Venus Theory
As the world of sound design continues to evolve and innovate, having a firm understanding of the tools, techniques, and trends in the industry is essential. Whether you're an experienced sound designer or a novice looking to break into the field, our conversation with Cameron Gorham of Venus Theory offers invaluable insights to help you navigate this dynamic industry!
All Our Seasons Change
Your seasonal shifting will probably not look the same as mine. Some of us are going through significant life transitions, while some are seizing new opportunities like launching new albums or making career moves. Change, like the seasons, is a common experience for all of us.
Sports Rock Cue Review
Join me as I give critique and feedback on a sports rock cue by 52 Cues community member, Jesse Carrigan!
Signposts: Curves Ahead!
Stay alert. Listen to your intuition. While it may not be right every time (thanks, lizard brain!), when you open your heart and mind, you realize these aren’t just random events. There's something – a science, a magic, an intelligence – we've yet to fully grasp.
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.