52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast

Dave Kropf
  • 5.0 (17)
  • How To
  • Updated Weekly

Hosted by working composer and long-time professor Dave Kropf, the 52 Cues Podcast takes you inside the real world of production music, library music, and sync licensing – breaking down cues, unpacking industry insights, and sharing candid conversations with fellow composers and publishers.  Weekly episodes deliver practical strategies, creative inspiration, and insider information to help you land more placements and build a sustainable career in sync.

  1. 3h ago

    What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 35

    Weekly Feedback - Week 35 https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-35How Would You Start a Composing Career in 2026 (with Anne-Kathrin Dern)? | 52 Cues Podcast #283 https://my.52cues.com/posts/how-would-you-start-a-composing-career-in-2026-with-anne-kathrin-dern-52-cues-podcast-283Office Hours https://my.52cues.com/events/office-hours-104215339Understanding Library Contracts | Workshop https://my.52cues.com/events/understanding-library-contractsOrchestral Chat Club https://my.52cues.com/events/orchestral-chat-club-102528723Live Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday) https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-105502797A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave https://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-105573228Live Feedback and Critiques (Thursday) https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-105502874Hip-Hop Tension #4 | Composing Livestream https://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-4-composing-livestreamWatch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zJLQy2ipnN8 Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry! Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries. One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching! Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

  2. 4d ago

    How Would You Start a Composing Career in 2026 (with Anne-Kathrin Dern)?

    In this episode, film and game composer Anne-Kathrin Dern joins Dave to talk about how she’d start a composing career in 2026, including the differences between film, games, and production music, the changing role of composer assistants, and the practical steps she’d take to break into the industry today. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/49hI7_Ch81w https://annedern-filmcomposer.com https://www.youtube.com/@AnneKathrinDernComposer We Asked Anne-Kathrin Dern About Her Brutal Composer Advice | 52 Cues Podcast #282 https://youtu.be/rYF_xun27Ec How Hard Is it to Make a Living in Production Music? | 52 Cues Podcast #278 https://youtu.be/-owQEUH26js Is Production Music Worth It in 2026? | 52 Cues Podcast #279 https://youtu.be/L9gJYZC8330 Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard. Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues! Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry! Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries. One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching! Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

  3. Aug 24

    What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 34

    Weekly Feedback - Week 34 https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-34Office Hours https://my.52cues.com/events/office-hours-104215323Live Feedback and Critiques (2 Hr Session) https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-2-hr-session-100942283A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave https://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-105573217Minimal Percussion Dramedy | Brief Info & Cue Review Session https://my.52cues.com/events/minimal-percussion-dramedy-brief-info-cue-review-sessionDark Sci-Fi Tension | Publisher Deliverables https://my.52cues.com/events/dark-sci-fi-tension-publisher-deliverablesHip-Hop Tension #3 | Composing Livestream https://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-3-composing-livestreamThrowback Hip-Hop for RRHOT | Submission Round https://my.52cues.com/events/throwback-hip-hop-for-rrhot-submission-roundUnderstanding Library Contracts | Workshop https://my.52cues.com/events/understanding-library-contracts Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry! Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries. One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching! Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

  4. Aug 20

    We Asked Anne-Kathrin Dern About Her Brutal Composer Advice

    In this episode, film and game composer Anne-Kathrin Dern joins Dave to talk about her recent brutally honest composer advice, how her own career has evolved, and how she actually gets hired. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rYF_xun27Ec https://annedern-filmcomposer.com https://www.youtube.com/@AnneKathrinDernComposer How Hard Is it to Make a Living in Production Music? | 52 Cues Podcast #278 https://youtu.be/-owQEUH26js Is Production Music Worth It in 2026? | 52 Cues Podcast #279 https://youtu.be/L9gJYZC8330 Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard. Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues! Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry! Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries. One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching! Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

  5. Aug 17

    What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 33

    Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/72TYUpvBsys Weekly Feedback - Week 33 https://my.52cues.com/posts/95668894Office Hours https://my.52cues.com/posts/104215320Live Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday) https://my.52cues.com/posts/105502768A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave https://my.52cues.com/posts/105573210Live Feedback and Critiques (Thursday) https://my.52cues.com/posts/105502851Hip-Hop Tension #2 (Part 2) | Composing Livestream https://my.52cues.com/posts/104215491Uplifting Indie Pop Tasking | Final Submissions https://my.52cues.com/posts/104143332Minimal Percussion Dramedy | Brief Info & Cue Review Session https://my.52cues.com/posts/105462573Throwback Hip-Hop for RRHOT | Submission Round https://my.52cues.com/events/throwback-hip-hop-for-rrhot-submission-roundUnderstanding Library Contracts | Workshop https://my.52cues.com/posts/106066053 Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry! Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries. One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching! Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

  6. Aug 13

    I Wrote 8 Cues in a Week and Didn’t Burn Out

    In this episode, Dave reflects on what he learned from spending an entire week focused almost exclusively on writing music, and how simplicity, flow state, and avoiding constant context switching helped him finish eight cues without feeling completely burned out. What this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OgxxwlznTWg Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard. Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues! Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry! Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries. One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching! Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

  7. Aug 10

    What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 32

    Weekly Feedback - Week 32 https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-32Office Hours https://my.52cues.com/posts/103906733Q&A and Cue Review with Chuck Henry (10 West Music) https://my.52cues.com/events/qa-and-cue-review-with-chuck-henry-10-west-musicLive Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday) https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-105502734A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave https://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-105573156Live Feedback and Critiques (Thursday) https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-105502820Hip-Hop Tension #2 | Composing Livestream https://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-2-composing-livestreamUplifting Indie Pop Tasking | Revision Round https://my.52cues.com/posts/104143305Throwback Hip-Hop for RRHOT | Submission Round https://my.52cues.com/events/throwback-hip-hop-for-rrhot-submission-round Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry! Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries. One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching! Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

  8. Aug 6

    Have You Outgrown Your Composer Workflow?

    In this episode, Dave talks with Pibox founder and CEO Ivan Talaichuk about the point where Dropbox, email, and spreadsheets stop being enough and what production music composers can learn from the way professional music teams manage feedback, revisions, cue versions, and collaboration. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5p2apQqacwU Find out more about Pibox: https://pibox.com Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard. Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues! Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry! Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries. One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching! Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

See All (316)

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Hosted by working composer and long-time professor Dave Kropf, the 52 Cues Podcast takes you inside the real world of production music, library music, and sync licensing – breaking down cues, unpacking industry insights, and sharing candid conversations with fellow composers and publishers.  Weekly episodes deliver practical strategies, creative inspiration, and insider information to help you land more placements and build a sustainable career in sync.

Information

You Might Also Like