52 Cues Podcast

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.comIt'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!

Weekly Feedback - Week 37https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-37Office Hours with Marlon Gibbonshttps://my.52cues.com/events/office-hours-with-marlon-gibbonsPMA Member Virtual Networking Coffee Hourhttps://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 Davehttps://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 Livestreamhttps://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-deliverables-composing-livestreamThrowback Hip-Hop for RRHOT | Final Submissionshttps://my.52cues.com/events/throwback-hip-hop-for-rrhot-final-submissionsJoin the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

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 MentionedGreat Good Fine OkayTaylor SwiftDua LipaAriana GrandeEd SheeranFoo FightersNickelbackBig WreckSpiritboxCoheed and CambriaThe Band FeelGeeseRushTrent Reznor & Atticus RossMariah CareyBeyoncéPink FloydPlugins & Tools MentionedSpectrasonics TrilianProjectSAM SymphobiaiZotope RX / Spectral RepairXfer Serum8Dio ClocksFAW SubLabNative Instruments DEFT LINESSpectrasonics Omnisphere 3Spectrasonics KeyscapeNative Instruments Guitar RigCelemony MelodyneInk Audio Ink SteelSpliceSupport 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.comIt'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!

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/JtSSFgLMVWQCheck out Keyboard Kafé and get 3 months free!https://keyboardkafe.web.app/promo/52cuesSupport 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.comIt'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!

Weekly Feedback - Week 35https://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 #283https://my.52cues.com/posts/how-would-you-start-a-composing-career-in-2026-with-anne-kathrin-dern-52-cues-podcast-283Office Hourshttps://my.52cues.com/events/office-hours-104215339Understanding Library Contracts | Workshophttps://my.52cues.com/events/understanding-library-contractsOrchestral Chat Clubhttps://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 Davehttps://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 Livestreamhttps://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-4-composing-livestreamWatch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zJLQy2ipnN8Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

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_Ch81whttps://annedern-filmcomposer.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@AnneKathrinDernComposerWe Asked Anne-Kathrin Dern About Her Brutal Composer Advice | 52 Cues Podcast #282https://youtu.be/rYF_xun27EcHow Hard Is it to Make a Living in Production Music? | 52 Cues Podcast #278https://youtu.be/-owQEUH26jsIs Production Music Worth It in 2026? | 52 Cues Podcast #279https://youtu.be/L9gJYZC8330Support 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.comIt'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!

Weekly Feedback - Week 34https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-34Office Hourshttps://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 Davehttps://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-105573217Minimal Percussion Dramedy | Brief Info & Cue Review Sessionhttps://my.52cues.com/events/minimal-percussion-dramedy-brief-info-cue-review-sessionDark Sci-Fi Tension | Publisher Deliverableshttps://my.52cues.com/events/dark-sci-fi-tension-publisher-deliverablesHip-Hop Tension #3 | Composing Livestreamhttps://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-3-composing-livestreamThrowback Hip-Hop for RRHOT | Submission Roundhttps://my.52cues.com/events/throwback-hip-hop-for-rrhot-submission-roundUnderstanding Library Contracts | Workshophttps://my.52cues.com/events/understanding-library-contractsJoin the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

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_xun27Echttps://annedern-filmcomposer.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@AnneKathrinDernComposerHow Hard Is it to Make a Living in Production Music? | 52 Cues Podcast #278https://youtu.be/-owQEUH26jsIs Production Music Worth It in 2026? | 52 Cues Podcast #279https://youtu.be/L9gJYZC8330Support 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.comIt'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!

Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/72TYUpvBsysWeekly Feedback - Week 33https://my.52cues.com/posts/95668894Office Hourshttps://my.52cues.com/posts/104215320Live Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday)https://my.52cues.com/posts/105502768A Little Chat with Shannon and Davehttps://my.52cues.com/posts/105573210Live Feedback and Critiques (Thursday)https://my.52cues.com/posts/105502851Hip-Hop Tension #2 (Part 2) | Composing Livestreamhttps://my.52cues.com/posts/104215491Uplifting Indie Pop Tasking | Final Submissionshttps://my.52cues.com/posts/104143332Minimal Percussion Dramedy | Brief Info & Cue Review Sessionhttps://my.52cues.com/posts/105462573Throwback Hip-Hop for RRHOT | Submission Roundhttps://my.52cues.com/events/throwback-hip-hop-for-rrhot-submission-roundUnderstanding Library Contracts | Workshophttps://my.52cues.com/posts/106066053Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

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/OgxxwlznTWgSupport 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.comIt'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!

Weekly Feedback - Week 32https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-32Office Hourshttps://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 Davehttps://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 Livestreamhttps://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-2-composing-livestreamUplifting Indie Pop Tasking | Revision Roundhttps://my.52cues.com/posts/104143305Throwback Hip-Hop for RRHOT | Submission Roundhttps://my.52cues.com/events/throwback-hip-hop-for-rrhot-submission-roundJoin the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

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/5p2apQqacwUFind out more about Pibox:https://pibox.comSupport 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.comIt'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!

Weekly Feedback - Week 31https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-31Office Hourshttps://my.52cues.com/posts/103906733Orchestral Chat Clubhttps://my.52cues.com/posts/102528677Live Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday)https://my.52cues.com/posts/103575429A Little Chat with Shannon and Davehttps://my.52cues.com/posts/87969750Live Feedback and Critiques (Thursday)https://my.52cues.com/posts/103575252Hip-Hop Tension | Composing Livestreamhttps://my.52cues.com/posts/103492316Uplifting Indie Pop Tasking | Revision Roundhttps://my.52cues.com/posts/104143305Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In part two of their response to Anne-Kathrin Dern's brutally honest career advice, Jeff and Dave look at the money, the workload, the lifestyle, and the growing guru culture, to answer the question every production music composer eventually has to face: is production music worth it?Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/L9gJYZC8330A Rant About Brutally Honest Career Advice by Anne-Kathrin Dernhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y06R6sOc5bsSupport 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.comIt'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!

Weekly Feedback - Week 29https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-29Office Hourshttps://my.52cues.com/events/office-hours-103906725How Hard Is it to Make a Living in Production Music? | 52 Cues Podcast #278https://my.52cues.com/posts/how-hard-is-it-to-make-a-living-in-production-music-52-cues-podcast-278Live Feedback and Critiques (2hr Session)https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-2-hr-session-100942269The NFL on CBS 2026 | Deliverableshttps://my.52cues.com/events/the-nfl-on-cbs-2026-deliverablesA Little Chat with Shannon and Davehttps://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-87969750Countdown Tension | Brief Info & Cue Review Sessionhttps://my.52cues.com/events/countdown-tension-brief-info-cue-review-sessionHip-Hop Comedy #2 (Part 2) | Composing Livestreamhttps://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-comedy-2-part-2-composing-livestreamUplifting Indie Pop Tasking | Submission Roundhttps://my.52cues.com/events/uplifting-indie-pop-tasking-submission-roundJoin the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave and Jeff use Anne-Kathrin Dern's recent composer reality-check video as a jumping off point to discuss how hard it really is to make a living in production music.Watch this episode on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/-owQEUH26jsA Rant About Brutally Honest Career Advice by Anne-Kathrin Dernhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y06R6sOc5bsSupport 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.comIt'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!

Weekly Feedback - Week 28https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-28Free Workshop! From Sketch To Screen (with Jeff Hargrove)https://my.52cues.com/events/from-sketch-to-screen-with-jeff-hargroveLive Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday)https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-103575379A Little Chat with Shannon and Davehttps://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-87969750?instance_index=20260715T160000ZLive Feedback and Critiques (Thursday)https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-103575202Hip-Hop Comedy #2 | Composing Livestreamhttps://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-comedy-2-composing-livestreamOrchestral Christmas | Results and Final Submissionshttps://my.52cues.com/events/orchestral-christmas-results-and-final-submissionsCountdown Tension | Brief Info & Cue Review Sessionhttps://my.52cues.com/events/countdown-tension-brief-info-cue-review-sessionUplifting Indie Pop Tasking | Submission Roundhttps://my.52cues.com/events/uplifting-indie-pop-tasking-submission-roundJoin the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, community mentor Jeff Hargrove explains why a simple piano sketch can make writing cues easier before production takes over.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xXiCWzwo3TUBe sure to join us for Jeff's free Sketch to Screen Workshop, July 13 at 4p ET!https://my.52cues.com/events/from-sketch-to-screen-with-jeff-hargroveSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave and community mentor Jeff LaPlante share their most-used instruments, tools, plugins, and effects to help production music composers build a dependable toolkit without wasting money on plugins you might not really need.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_pIAgPHp760PLUGINS, SOUNDS, AND LIBRARIES DISCUSSEDSOUNDS AND LIBRARIESOmnispherehttps://www.spectrasonics.net/products/omnisphereThe Unfinished Omnisphere Soundsetshttps://www.theunfinished.co.uk/store/Splice https://splice.comSerato Samplehttps://serato.com/sampleThe Fame Series: Modern Pophttps://www.ilio.com/the-fame-series-modern-popProjectSAM Symphobiahttps://projectsam.com/libraries/symphobiaNative Instruments Kompletehttps://www.native-instruments.com/en/catalog/komplete/EFFECTSMelodynehttps://www.celemony.com/en/melodyneLogic Pro Sample Delayhttps://support.apple.com/guide/logicpro/sample-delay-controls-lgcef18b8738/macLogic Pro Stereo Delayhttps://support.apple.com/guide/logicpro/stereo-delay-controls-lgcef18b892f/macLogic Pro Compressorhttps://support.apple.com/guide/logicpro/compressor-overview-lgcead9636ef/macFender Studio Pro X-Tremhttps://www.fender.com/products/fender-studio-proHONORABLE MENTIONSVienna Synchron Stage Reverbhttps://www.vsl.co.at/products/software/synchron-stage-reverbWaves TrueVerbhttps://www.waves.com/plugins/trueverbSoundtoys Little AlterBoyhttps://www.soundtoys.com/product/little-alterboy/Soundtoys MicroShifthttps://www.soundtoys.com/product/microshift/The God Particlehttps://cradle.app/products/the-god-particleSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Philip Johnston returns to explain how Orchestration Recipes makes complex concepts more practical, what Volume 6 brings to everyday orchestral writing, and where AI may fit into the future of composition and virtual performance.Orchestration Recipes Vol. 6 is out now!https://orchestrationrecipes.comSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode Dave and community mentor Jeff LaPlante break down production music deliverables, including mixes, stems, cutdowns, file naming, metadata, loudness, and the common mistakes that can make an accepted cue harder for libraries and editors to use.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yIXUIyolKRkSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave answers your production music questions including generative AI, following up with libraries, pitching albums professionally, recovering exclusive cues, building a sustainable sync catalog, and why the tools you use matter when revisions and deliverables are part of the job.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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave pulls back the curtain on 52 Cues with a look inside a cue breakdown, showing how composition, structure, arrangement, and production choices all work together in a finished cue.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YfOLFtiPIigSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave and Jeff discuss whether loops and samples are lazy, how samples can be transformed into original production music cues, and why legal usage still doesn't always protect you from Content ID headaches or library concerns.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PFoHpTAsHboSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode Chuck Henry, founder and CEO of 10 West Music, shares brutally honest advice for production music composers on pitching libraries, preparing clean deliverables, avoiding lazy loop usage, and writing cues that actually serve editors and supervisors.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4m7ZUa0aPawLinks:https://10westmusic.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-henry-22a1bb8/ 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave and community mentor Greg Fellman share five practical networking tips for production music composers, from building real relationships to following up and being ready when opportunities show up.Denver Composers Collective - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433710441750662Sync Meetup Austin - https://www.facebook.com/syncatxWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MAHozCY7fRkSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, I'm joined by composer, library owner, and PMA vice chair Alan Lazar to talk about ethical AI, production music submissions, and whether tools like TrackTrove.ai can help human composers get their cues heard.https://tracktrove.aihttps://alanlazar.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FatgvGSr9_sSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave is joined by 52 Cues mentor Mary Shaw to talk about building a “second brain” for composers, getting ideas and tasks out of your head, and creating systems that help future-you stay focused, organized, and more productive.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z9xOGoM7CnQBuilding a Second Brain by Tiago Forte: https://amzn.to/42GFZEgSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave and Jeff LaPlante talk about the non-musical skills that can make a huge difference in the sync business.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7ARhc9dohm4Support 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave is joined by Jesse Carrigan to talk about Cuemonic, the metadata tool he's building for composers and publishers, and why this unglamorous part of the business matters more than most of us realize. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lRdh5l8OhxMhttps://cuemonic.comUse code 52CUESPOD and get 1 month free each year you stay subscribed to Cuemonic, which means 12 months for the price of 11.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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave sits down with Warner Chappell Production Music's Dave Milne to talk about what libraries really look for in composers, how the production pipeline works behind the scenes, and what it takes to turn great cues into truly usable, professional music for clients.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PvFd3b2yT78https://www.davemilnemusic.comhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm8687247https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-milne-musichttps://www.keenwidget.comSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, I'm talking with Timothy Andrew Edwards and Tim Mosher about how they landed the music for Nate Bargatze's Greatest Average American and what it really takes to score a network game show.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dP71SNhtENoGreatest Average American on ABC: https://abc.com/show/a0f061ad-bc3e-49f4-926f-40f80f8c7090Evil Genius: https://www.facebook.com/groups/877961207308818Support 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.comIt'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!

In this episode Dave is joined by Steven McDonald to talk about how he went from posting music on YouTube to landing major placements, why he writes fast and doesn't throw ideas away, and the honest truth about the freedom, pressure, and discipline it takes to make this work for real.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WqfsFl0hLrYhttps://www.stevenmcdonaldmusic.com/musicSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave and Jeff LaPlante share some of the biggest sync mistakes they've made, from technical blunders and bad deals to mindset traps and missed opportunities.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iR7q0SAklBQSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave is joined by community ambassador and drum educator Michael Reschke to break down the biggest mistakes non-drummers make when programming drums.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qMSUlzL6iZAConnect with Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelreschke1Support 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave and Jeff break down practical strategies for finding new production music libraries, building relationships, and pitching in a way that gets you taken seriously in the sync industry.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kMeLqJJlOYISupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode I review cues from the 52 Cues Community!Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/1hgYh8PZaRgSupport 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.comIt'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!

In this episode, trailer composer Randon Purcell breaks down what it actually takes to write modern trailer music, from massive structure and signature sounds to trends, placements, and surviving in a saturated market.Fallout Music Group: http://falloutmusicgroup.com  Randon's Trailer Course (Hybrid Orchestral Composition and Sound): https://www.masterthescore.com/course/hybrid-orchestral-composition-and-soundBrand X Music: https://brandxmusic.netBrand X Music x Fallout Music Group Composer CompetitionBrand X Music is launching a brand-new composer competition in collaboration with Fallout Music Group and they're looking for fun, snappy, modern promo cues built around Fallout's new Promo Horns instrument and sound pack.Up to 3 winning tracks will be selected for a future Brand X Music album.Submission Guidelines:Must be completely original, unreleased, and 100% AI-freeLength: 1:30–2:00Written specifically for modern promo useMust feature Fallout's Promo Horns instrument & sound packDeadline: Midnight (MST) on March 5, 2026Grab Promo Horns here:https://falloutmusicgroup.com/products/promo-hornsSubmit your cue to: info@falloutmusicgroup.comWinners will be notified via email and announced on social media.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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, me and 52 Cues mentor Mary Shaw unpack why “bad workflow” is often a misdiagnosis and how simple project management tools can make writing and delivering cues feel far more doable.Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/kEP9IxeesfgGetting Things Done by David Allen - https://amzn.to/49ZFIRB Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte - https://amzn.to/4rxRIQ6Essentialism by Greg McKeown - https://amzn.to/46ngzhjMake Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky - https://amzn.to/3ZmgvKXSupport 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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, Jeff Hargrove and I talk about the early mistakes new composers often make when stepping into production music – from chasing plugins and genres to overlooking the fundamentals that actually move the needle. Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/RSM5S5sPFpQSupport 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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

This week, Greg Fellman and I talk work-life balance and how routines, boundaries, travel, burnout, and community can actually recharge you instead of distracting you.Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/IVm4dxN1SWQSupport 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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, Jeff LaPlante and I talk about how production and library music has changed in the last decade, why authenticity matters more, and how streaming has shifted the royalty game.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6gPapVS1b5oSupport 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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, Jeff LaPlante joins me as the first co-host of 2026, and we're talking about influences – the obvious ones, the weird ones, and the ones you don't realize you're borrowing from. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/veX7p3hbjlE 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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, Mrs. 52 Cues and I wrap up the year by looking honestly at what worked, what didn't, and how 2025 shaped both my writing life and the evolution of 52 Cues. We also lay out what's coming in 2026 – new podcast formats, mentors, masterclasses, community changes, and a clearer vision for building a sustainable creative life together.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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, I walk through my entire mixing and mastering process from beginning to end using a real indie pop cue as the example. We zoom out and talk about building a repeatable, genre-agnostic approach to mixing that helps you work faster, trust your decisions, and get consistent results across any type of cue.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2qh9iEGdERQSupport 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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, Dave opens up live office hours for an Ask Me Anything session. Topics range from PRO royalties and cue output expectations to writing tension versus upbeat cues, epic versus non-epic styles, synth tools, sample libraries, monitoring setups, and sustainable work life balance as a composer.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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, I'm joined by trumpeter, educator, and Marmoset A&R lead Farnell Newton for a conversation that tackles some of the biggest pain points composers face in the sync world. We talk about what actually catches an A&R rep's ear, why organization and deliverables matter just as much as great writing, and how real human performances still rise above the noise in an AI-heavy landscape.Plus, we listen to a new Indie Pop/EDM cue!Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/PGCTF-s3eYEhttps://farnellnewton.comhttps://www.instagram.com/farnellnewtonFarnell's Book on Sync - https://syncyoursound.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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, we're taking a closer look at the true crime corner of the light-tension spectrum where I'll walk you through the sounds, the pulses, and the gritty textures that push this style right up to the edge of ominous tension. Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Dc4c5bXRJK0Support 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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, I revisit the bold 2021 statement that what we do in production music isn't art and ask if that still holds up in the age of AI. I talk about how technology has shifted the production music world and if the artisan mindset still matters.Plus, we'll take a listen to my latest hip-hop dramedy cue, "Resting Witch Face."Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/cU1VJ5S47jQSupport 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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode I am joined by Emmy and Mark Award–winning composer and Head of Production at Warner Chappell Production Music, Scott Reinwand, and we chat about how composers can stand out in a crowded catalog.Plus we listen to a recent trip hop tension cue, "Remains to Be Seen."Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/ZShsnfsbLzwhttps://warnerchappellpm.comSupport 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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!

In this episode, I unpack what ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN's new policy on partially AI-generated works means for production music composers. We'll talk about where the line is between using AI as a creative assistant and letting it compose for you, what this shift means for publishers and libraries, and whether the “stink of AI” will ever really go away.Plus we take a listen to a brooding intrigue cue, "Crisis Me a River."Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/pIELNVxo73Qhttps://www.bmi.com/news/entry/ascap-bmi-and-socan-announce-alignment-on-ai-registration-policieshttps://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/ascap-bmi-and-socan-will-now-accept-registrations-of-partially-ai-generated-musical-works/ https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/can-ai-generated-content-be-copyrighted-heres-what-a-new-report-from-the-us-copyright-office-says1/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/germanys-gema-launches-ai-charter-laying-out-legal-and-ethical-principles-for-artificial-intelligence-in-music/ 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! Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt'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!