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. 1d ago

    The Unwritten Rules of Sync

    In this episode, Dave and 52 Cues community mentor Jeff LaPlante unpack the unwritten rules of production music, from pitching and follow-up etiquette to rejection, deadlines, contracts, collaborations, and deliverables. 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!

  2. 4d ago

    What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 37

    Weekly Feedback - Week 37 https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-37Office Hours with Marlon Gibbons https://my.52cues.com/events/office-hours-with-marlon-gibbonsPMA Member Virtual Networking Coffee Hour https://pmamusic.com/event/pma-member-virtual-networking-coffee-hour-7/Live Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday) https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-106075858A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave https://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-106075691Live Feedback and Critiques (Thursday) https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-106076967Hip-Hop Tension Deliverables | Composing Livestream https://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-deliverables-composing-livestreamThrowback Hip-Hop for RRHOT | Final Submissions https://my.52cues.com/events/throwback-hip-hop-for-rrhot-final-submissions 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. Sep 10

    The Non-Negotiables of Production Music Genres

    In this episode Dave and 52 Cues community mentor Jeff LaPlante break down the non-negotiable sounds, arranging choices, and production techniques behind dramedy, tension, hip-hop, pop, rock, emotional, holiday, country, and vocal cues. Artists & Bands Mentioned Great Good Fine Okay Taylor Swift Dua Lipa Ariana Grande Ed Sheeran Foo Fighters Nickelback Big Wreck Spiritbox Coheed and Cambria The Band Feel Geese Rush Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross Mariah Carey Beyoncé Pink Floyd Plugins & Tools Mentioned Spectrasonics Trilian ProjectSAM Symphobia iZotope RX / Spectral Repair Xfer Serum 8Dio Clocks FAW SubLab Native Instruments DEFT LINES Spectrasonics Omnisphere 3 Spectrasonics Keyscape Native Instruments Guitar Rig Celemony Melodyne Ink Audio Ink Steel Splice 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!

  4. Sep 3

    How Much Music Theory Does a Producer Really Need? (with Dr. Tim Stulman)

    In this episode, Dave talks with Dr. Tim Stulman, Program Director for Music Production at Full Sail University and creator of Keyboard Kafe, about how much music theory producers really need, why basic keyboard and ear-training skills can reduce friction in the creative process, and how a little practical musicianship can go a long way when writing production music. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JtSSFgLMVWQ Check out Keyboard Kafé and get 3 months free! https://keyboardkafe.web.app/promo/52cues 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 31

    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!

  6. Aug 27

    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!

  7. 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!

  8. 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!

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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.

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