Feeling stuck on what you should be writing? This week, I’m unpacking three keys to building a sustainable and fulfilling career in production music. Plus, I’ll break down my latest NuDisco-inspired cue, Funk Salad Annie!What this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/8Wv4nxo1v-wExpedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most epic, year-long composer quest from 52 Cues! Weekly challenges and check-ins help keep your creativity ablaze while collaborations and feedback hone your cues and your crit...
From concept to cash, I’m breaking down the complete timeline of a production music cue so you’ll know exactly what to expect on your path to those sweet royalty checks.Watch this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/vVyK-ZvJ20sExpedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most epic, year-long composer quest from 52 Cues! Weekly challenges and check-ins help keep your creativity ablaze while collaborations and feedback hone your cues and your critical listening.Sing up today at https://expedition5...
In today's episode, Dave's talks about mood, and he unpacks how he communicates emotions in his cues by shifting three primary musical elements.Watch this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/fVSKlQLLI40Expedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most epic, year-long composer quest from 52 Cues! Weekly challenges and check-ins help keep your creativity ablaze while collaborations and feedback hone your cues and your critical listening.Sing up today at https://expedition52.com!Join the 52 Cues Co...
In this epic 200th episode, Dave shares lessons learned from four years of the 52 Cues Podcast, working towards sustainability, growth, and embracing imperfection. Watch this on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/puqtb1FP0P0Expedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most epic, year-long composer quest from 52 Cues! Weekly challenges and check-ins help keep your creativity ablaze while collaborations and feedback hone your cues and your critical listening.Sing up today at https://expedition52.com!Join the...
In this episode, we revisit the art of crafting ominous tension cues as Dave explores the harmonic and rhythmic techniques behind these cues, emphasizing drone-based harmony, slow-moving melodies, and evolving layers. Watch this episode on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/_pCP9_MPm7MFriends and Family, join us for the Dramedy Writing Workshop!https://my.52cues.com/posts/71524272Expedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most epic, year-long composer quest from 52 Cues! Weekly challenges and check-ins h...
In this episode, Dave questions whether originality is overrated in production music, suggesting that unique expression matters more than being entirely original. He discusses techniques like modeling and referencing to meet industry expectations while staying creatively fulfilled.Watch this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/aM5E-wY0rq8Expedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most epic, year-long composer quest from 52 Cues! Weekly challenges and check-ins help keep your creativity ablaze ...
In this episode, Dave breaks down the art of using SFX like booms, risers, and sweeps to enhance transitions in a cue, demonstrating his approach live on a recent hip-hop track. Watch this episode on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/JkeKZQazOLIExpedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most epic, year-long composer quest from 52 Cues! Weekly challenges and check-ins help keep your creativity ablaze while collaborations and feedback hone your cues and your critical listening.Sing up today at https://exp...
In this episode, Dave welcomes Detroit-based pianist and composer Dale Grisa about his journey from performing thousands of gigs to creating production music and collaborating with top musicians!Watch this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/v4SutVFN0Aghttps://www.dalegrisa.comExpedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most epic, year-long composer quest from 52 Cues! Weekly challenges and check-ins help keep your creativity ablaze while collaborations and feedback hone your cues and your crit...
It's time for another 52 Cues live Q&A! In this episode, Dave Kropf tackles questions from the community, including whether it’s safe to upload tracks to SoundCloud if they’re already on Spotify, how many cues you need for a sustainable income, and the best way to approach bigger libraries. Plus, thoughts on using tempo changes in cues and the importance of synths in modern production music. Watch this episode on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/FtCNXfO3QgEExpedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most ...
In today's very special episode of the 52 Cues podcast, Dave welcomes back Mrs. 52 Cues herself, Shannon Kropf, for a discussion about the whirlwind of the past few weeks. No cues, no production music topics this week – just conferences, colonoscopies, and (2!) hurricanes! Watch this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/72ZdCTpx0Yo00:00 - Introduction and Welcome Shannon!03:57 - Dave’s Travel Anxiety08:46 - Reflecting on the PMC19:27 - Dave Tries to Get Home37:05 - Being a Grown-Up About Healt...
In this episode, Dave chats with BAFTA-winning composer Jason Graves, known for his work on blockbuster games like Dead Space, Tomb Raider, and Call of Duty: Warzone. They reminisce about their college days and explore Jason's journey from percussionist to leading industry composer, discussing his creative process and the evolution of game music!Music Composition for Games Coursehttps://elvtr.com/course/music-composition-for-gameshttps://jasongraves.com/Watch this episode on YouTubehttps://yo...
In this episode, Dave breaks down his epic hip-hop sports broadcasting cue, "All Up In This," revealing how to create tracks that resonate across various sports platforms. He also shares his eventful week—from preparing for the upcoming Production Music Conference to handling a last-minute request from CBS that didn't go as planned. Stay tuned until the end to hear "Only Ever Onward," nd uplifting trailer cue that took four weeks to complete!Watch this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/VvHU...
In this episode, Dave sits down with the winners of the Christmas in July Composer Quest: Jenny Goodspeed, Simon Tong, and Ralph Oleski. They discuss their award-winning tracks, their journeys into the world of production music, and how feedback and community have shaped their creative processes.Watch this episode on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/jFwT47fWCiURalph OleskiWebsite: RalphOleski.com Simon TongWebsite : tongy.co.ukSoundCloud : soundcloud.com/simonjtongJenny GoodspeedWebsite: jennygoo...
In this special live podcast episode, Dave reviews cues written by the 52 Cues Community!Expedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most epic, year-long composer quest from 52 Cues! Weekly challenges and check-ins help keep your creativity ablaze while collaborations and feedback hone your cues and your critical listening.Sing up today at https://expedition52.com!Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other c...
In this episode, Dave explores the fascinating connection between storytelling and music structure, particularly in trailer cues, and he breaks down how narrative beats, like those found in novels or movies, can apply to the form and structure of production music. Watch this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/RVx-NaQLazMSave The Cat! by Blake Snyderhttps://amzn.to/3AHyNxjExpedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most epic, year-long composer quest from 52 Cues! Weekly challenges and check-in...
In this episode, Dave unpacks the essential elements that make a cue truly stand out in the competitive world of production music. He explores the often-overlooked qualities that can elevate one cue above another and the fundamental components that every professional cue must have.Watch this episode on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/_y3L1FBkCj4Expedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most epic, year-long composer quest from 52 Cues! Weekly challenges and check-ins help keep your creativity ablaze w...
In this episode, Dave shares four key strategies he relies on to maintain a positive mindset, even when the music industry throws its toughest challenges his way. He explores practical approaches to staying resilient, from navigating rejection to pushing through setbacks.Watch this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/UPxRlnp6UrgThe War of Art by Stephen Pressfieldhttps://amzn.to/46OwmF0Expedition 52 Returns!Embark on the most epic, year-long composer quest from 52 Cues! Weekly challenge...
In this episode, we host a special live voting session for the Christmas in July Composer Quest, where participants' cues are showcased across three categories: Classic Christmas Magic, High-Energy Holiday, and Acoustic Christmas. Join us as we listen to the submissions, and the community votes on their favorites, with winners receiving exciting prizes and opportunities for music library placements.Watch this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/hH1MzvYc5-AVote now at https://www.52cues.com/vo...
In this episode of the 52 Cues Podcast, Dave welcomes Erin Collins, Senior Vice President of TV/Film and Creative Services for SESAC, to discuss her journey from high school musician to senior executive. They explore the evolving music industry, including streaming, AI, and SESAC's initiatives to support underrepresented composers.Watch this episode on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/dUN4gSifSEAhttps://www.sesac.com/employee/erin-collins/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2997074/ https://www.linkedin.com/i...
In this episode, we discuss the impact of technology and AI on the production, library, and sync music industry, drawing parallels to the career of Academy Award-winning animator Phil Tippett. We explore the extinction of various aspects of sync over the past decade, highlighting the real need to adapt and evolve.Watch this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/Gy1lymTRVnoMy Life In Monsters: Meet the Animator Behind Star Wars and Jurassic Parkhttps://youtu.be/VTGQ_K0DBPo?si=1xP9W35rK2wCKB-5Exp...