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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
Sound Design
Cue Creation
Metadata
Reelcrafter
Tension Cues
Music Production
Soundcloud
Editing Techniques
Royalties
Investigative Tension Cues
Music Stems
Community Engagement
Tasking Cues
Television Production

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes292Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsEducationArtsHow To

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for 52 Cues

Latest Episodes

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: youtu.be/7ARhc9dohm4

Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the ... more

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 YouTub... more

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,... more

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: youtu... more

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Recent Guests

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?
Michael Reschke
Community ambassador and drum set educator
Episode: What Non-Drummers Get Wrong About Programming Drums
Randon Purcell
Expert trailer music composer and co-founder of Fallout Music Group
Fallout Music Group
Episode: Let's Talk Trailer Music (with Randon Purcell)
Mary Shaw
Expert in productivity and organization, community mentor for composers
52 Cues
Episode: Do I Just Suck at Workflow?
Jeff Hargrove
Community mentor and music director at his church, focusing on helping newbies in production music
52 Cues
Episode: What New Composers Get Wrong About Sync
Greg Fellman
Community mentor and former social worker turned composer
Episode: Building Better Work-Life Balance
Farnell Newton
A&R lead at Marmoset Music, trumpeter, and educator
Marmoset Music
Episode: Inside the A&R Mind (with Farnell Newton)

Host

Dave Kropf
Host of The 52 Cues Podcast, professor of music production

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 States2 years ago
  • Top Resource

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Michal Sinka
    Switzerland3 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.

One of the best, most informative resources for library and sync music professionals.
Great interviews and consistently useful content for practitioners.
Highly helpful and motivating; listeners feel guided and inspired to act on insights.
The worlds best: a standout resource on the business of production music with actionable guidance.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#203
United Kingdom/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#165
France/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#174
Germany/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#203
Australia/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#13
Ukraine/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#47
Belgium/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Inside the Production Pipeline of Warner Chappell
Q: What does a typical day look like in Warner Chappell Production Music, and what does executive producing mean in this space?
A day involves managing a pipeline with multiple moving parts—from interfacing with composers and producers to overseeing mixing, mastering, artwork, and metadata, along with data quality control. Executive producing here means keeping the creative on track while coordinating resources, sometimes getting hands-on with recording or editing, and ensuring deliverables meet clients' needs.
What New Composers Get Wrong About Sync
Q: What are some things that beginners think they need or need to do that they don't really need or need to do?
Beginners often think they need every plugin or to join every library to write better. But those do not help improve writing; it's about developing ideas.
What New Composers Get Wrong About Sync
Q: What skills do you think matter first for folks who are new to production music?
You need to know your way around a DAW, have a basic understanding of harmony and melody, and identify your musical superpower to start.

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 production music industry, focusing on sync licensing, library libraries, and the business of getting placements. Episodes cover real-world mistakes to avoid, how non-performers can craft credible drum parts, strategies for finding libraries, live cue reviews, and the rise of trailer music, all with actionable tips on pitching, contracts, and workflow. Notable throughlines include mentorship, community building, and navigating a shifting landscape shaped by tools, streaming, and social media, with guests ranging from A&R leads to successful composers sharing concrete strategies and lessons learned.

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Which podcasts are similar to 52 Cues?

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1. TAXI TV
2. The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
3. Pod Save America
4. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
5. The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast

How many episodes of 52 Cues are there?

52 Cues launched 4 years ago and published 292 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. Dave Milne
2. Tim Mosher
3. Steven McDonald
4. Michael Reschke
5. Randon Purcell
6. Mary Shaw
7. Jeff Hargrove
8. Greg Fellman

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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