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Artwork for 52 Cues

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast

Dave Kropf
Production Music
Sync Licensing
Music Composition
Music Libraries
Library Music
Collaboration
Metadata
Sound Design
Cue Creation
Music Production
Reelcrafter
Tension Cues
Soundcloud
Editing Techniques
AI In Music
Royalties
Investigative Tension Cues
Music Stems
Community Engagement
Tasking Cues

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 la... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes323Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
How ToArtsEducationPerforming Arts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for 52 Cues

Latest Episodes

In this special live episode of the 52 Cues Podcast, I’m reviewing cues submitted by members of the 52 Cues community and giving real-time feedback on what’s working, what could be stronger, and how each cue might be made more useful for production a... more

In this episode, Dave reviews a production music cue from composer and bassist Elysa Tancheff, breaking down what he listens for in arrangement, energy, edit points, mix, and library usability.

If you'd like feedback on your own cues, head over to h... more

• Weekly Feedback - Week 38

my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-38

• Office Hours

my.52cues.com/events/office-hours-106297027

• SPECIAL TIME! Live Feedback and Critiques (2 Hr Session)

my.52cues.com/events... more

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 Podc... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Recent Guests

Marlon Gibbons
Special guest
Publisher/Workshop Facilitator
Episode: What's going on this week at 52 Cues? | 2026 Week 37
Philip Johnston
Purveyor of Orchestration Recipe, composer, classically trained pianist
Orchestration Recipes
Episode: How to Learn Orchestration Without Feeling Overwhelmed
Chuck Henry
CEO of 10 West Music, publisher, producer and composer
10 West Music
Episode: Brutally Honest Advice from a Library CEO (Chuck Henry, 10 West Music)
Greg Fellman
Community mentor at 52 Cues
52 Cues
Episode: Stop Pitching and Start Building Relationships
Alan Lazar
Veteran TV, film, and production music composer; vice chair of the Production Music Association; founder of Track Trove AI
APM (Lazar Focused); Track Trove AI; PMA
Episode: Can AI Help Get Your Cues Signed? (with Alan Lazar)
Jesse Carrigan
Longtime 52 Cues member, designer/developer of Cuemonic
Cuemonic
Episode: Stop Using Spreadsheets for Metadata with Cuemonic
Dave Milne
Head of Production at Warner Chappell Production Music
Warner Chappell Production Music
Episode: Inside the Production Pipeline of Warner Chappell
Tim Mosher
Co-founder of the Evil Genius team and composer for Greatest Average American
Edwards/Mosher team
Episode: What It Takes to Score a Network Game Show
Steven McDonald
Full-time production music composer
Episode: How Do You Actually Go Full-Time in Production Music?

Host

Dave Kropf
Host of the podcast and producer/creator

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 46 ratings
  • The worlds best

    This is without doubt the worlds best podcast covering the business of production music.

    If you find the way Dave teaches good, then I will suggest you join 52cues as I did.

    See you there!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Landersen61
    Denmark2 years ago
  • Love this show!

    Great content great interviews there’s always something new to learn!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sourcefor
    United States3 years ago
  • Top Resource

    One of the best, most informative resources on production music out there.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Michal Sinka
    Switzerland4 years ago
  • This is perfect!!!

    Exactly what I needed. You are doing such an amazing job with this content. It is so helpful and is helping me personally tremendously. Please do not stop. God bless you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ilia alania
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Professional and actionable, great for new and seasoned composers alike.
Clear evidence that the host and guests know the production music world inside out.
Helpful for sponsors to understand the value of targeted podcast partnerships.
High-quality interviews with practical takeaways you can apply today.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Your Cue Got Accepted! Don't Blow the Deliverables.
Q: Now, Jeff, do you have any different experience with stems or your libraries? Do they ask for anything different than what I've been talking about so far?
Jeff shares that while stems are usually instrument groupings rather than every isolated track, editors want flexibility to reassemble the mix for different uses, and sometimes special stems like a no symbol or impact mix are requested for specific placements; practical tips include keeping mastering chains intact and ensuring the stems align with the full mix.
Dave Answers Your Production Music Questions
Q: How many libraries am I with now?
Dave shares numbers indicating around nine to ten libraries with cues placed, and actively servicing about four to six libraries, with ongoing collaboration through the Sync Accelerator and briefing room to distribute work more widely.
Stop Using Spreadsheets for Metadata with Cuemonic
Q: Give us the elevator pitch. What is Cuemonic and who is it for?
Cuemonic is a focused, small tool designed to manage metadata for production music, artists, and songwriters. It's built to be easy to integrate into existing workflows and to generate starter metadata using AI, which users can edit, saving time and reducing the friction of cataloging cues for publishers.
Inside the Production Pipeline of Warner Chappell
Q: How should composers approach pitching to libraries—what makes a fast-track vs. a slow process?
A fast track comes when there is ready-to-go material with high production value that fits an immediate need; otherwise, it's timing and fit with clients' catalogs. A concise pitch with a few cues and a clear concept can help, but broader needs may require discussion on pricing and rights later.
Inside the Production Pipeline of Warner Chappell
Q: What qualities do you look for when reviewing submissions?
Prioritize production value and the ability to deliver like a producer as well as a composer; look for a clear wheelhouse or 'superpower' and the ability to present a coherent sound palette, along with strong formatting and usability in library contexts.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About 52 Cues

What is 52 Cues about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical deep-dive into the business of production music, library submissions, and sync licensing. Episodes frequently unpack cue deliverables, metadata, and the craft of building sustainable careers, blending hands-on workflows with candid industry insights from publishers, composers, and mentors. Notable topics include navigating AI's role, loop and sample usage, building efficient productivity systems, and strategies for networking and long-term partnerships with libraries and supervisors. The show stands out for its concrete, real-world guidance, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and a community-driven approach that helps listeners land placements and grow their libraries and careers.

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Which podcasts are similar to 52 Cues?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 52 Cues:

1. The Make Music Income Podcast
2. TAXI TV
3. Sync Licensing Minute
4. Tape Notes
5. The Rest Is Entertainment

How many episodes of 52 Cues are there?

52 Cues launched 5 years ago and published 323 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on 52 Cues?

Recent guests on 52 Cues include:

1. Marlon Gibbons
2. Philip Johnston
3. Chuck Henry
4. Greg Fellman
5. Alan Lazar
6. Jesse Carrigan
7. Dave Milne
8. Tim Mosher

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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