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PODCAST

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast

Hosted by working composer and long-time professor Dave Kropf, the 52 Cues Podcast takes you inside the real world of production music, library music, and sync licensing – breaking down cues, unpacking industry insights, and sharing candid conversations with fellow composers and publishers.Weekly episodes deliver practical strategies, creative inspiration, and insider information to help you land more placements and build a sustainable career in sync.

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All Episodes

30:29

Composers, It’s Time to Leave SoundCloud

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/06/05

In this episode, I talk about why SoundCloud just might be too risky for production music composers. From AI policy concerns to publishers turning away cues hosted there, is it time to pull the plug? Plus, I share Optimist Prime – a dramedy cue written without a single pizzicato string. Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/y7BWQ5ZiuIc Other links: https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/09/soundcloud-changes-policies-to-allow-ai-training-on-user-content https://www.youtube.com/@TopMusi...

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70:43

Ask Dave Anything (LIVE)!

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/05/30

In this episode, I’m answering your questions live – from piano mixing and cue layering strategies to how many libraries you should pitch to at once. We also cover reversion clauses, B sections in dramedy and sports cues, and pitching etiquette. Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/OOW6O_b9ims Join the 52 Cues Album Accelerator – a self-paced program with over 6.5 hours of video content, discussion threads, articles, and resources which guides you through the entire proc...

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65:08

Why Your Metadata (Probably) Sucks (with Mrs. 52 Cues)

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/05/22

In this episode, I’m joined by Mrs. 52 Cues (Shannon Kropf) to talk about the one thing composers love to avoid: metadata. We’ll unpack why it matters, where we go wrong, and how to stop sabotaging our own discoverability. Plus I feature a brand new playful dramedy cue with no pizzicato strings! Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/Rqhy-npPH0k Join the 52 Cues Album Accelerator – a self-paced program with over 6.5 hours of video content, discussion threads, articles, and resou...

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53:17

Pomp and Circumstance – Composer Quest LIVE!

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/05/16

In this episode, we host a live listening party for our latest Composer Quest: Pomp and Circumstance, where 52 Cues community members were challenged to reimagine the classic graduation march in any genre they wanted – from orchestral to ska, cinematic trailer to chipmunk glitchcore. Vote for your favorites at https://52cues.com/vote! Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Mj_xxGFzjn8 Join the 52 Cues Album Accelerator – a self-paced program with over 6.5 hours of video content...

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44:35

Even More Inconvenient Truths About Production Music

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/05/08

From rejection to relationships, I unpack five more hard truths every production music composer needs to hear, but probably hasn’t. Plus I feature a recent Indian-infused world hip-hop cue! Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/ef1lMcXViHo Join the 52 Cues Album Accelerator – a self-paced program with over 6.5 hours of video content, discussion threads, articles, and resources which guides you through the entire process of creating a production music album. Plus you’ll re...

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48:49

The Four "C's" of Success

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/05/01

In this episode, I break down the Four C’s of Success – a practical framework to help composers stay clear, creative, and on track from start to finish. Plus I feature a new investigation tension cue and give my thoughts on a psychedelic rock cue from 52 Cues member, Fraser Macdermid. Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/9tmb-sy3Qps Join the 52 Cues Album Accelerator – a self-paced program with over 6.5 hours of video content, discussion threads, articles, and resources whic...

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49:56

These 5 Small Choices Can Mean Huge Growth

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/04/24

In this episode, I’m sharing five small daily choices, plus a bonus one, that can quietly shape your growth and long-term success as a production music composer. Plus I feature one of my cues that I KNOW you've heard before, and I give my thoughts on a soft tension cue from 52 Cues member, keschkau. Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/MTUbptGy5R0 Join the 52 Cues Album Accelerator – a self-paced program with over 6.5 hours of video content, discussion threads, articles, and...

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106:03

An Editor Tells Why Great Cues Get Cut! (with Biagio...

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/04/17

In this episode, veteran TV producer and editor Biagio Messina joins me to talk about how cues actually get used in real-world productions – and what composers can do to make their music easier to work with. Plus I feature a new uplifting corporate rock cue and give my thoughts on a TV Drama cue from 52 Cues member, James Oakden. Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/aJPTw3zD4yc Joke Productions https://jokeproductions.com/biagio-messina/ IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm058214...

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81:37

These Climbers Made the Summit of Expedition 52!

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/04/10

In this episode, I’m joined by composers who completed the 2024 Expedition 52 composer quest – a year-long challenge to write one cue and give one piece of feedback every single week. We talk about what they learned, how they stayed motivated, and how consistency helped them grow! Plus, I’m sharing a new positive ambient drone cue and I'm reviewing a dark tension cue from 52 Cues family member, George Cicci! Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/VC0QnRG0rT0 Join the 52 C...

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76:40

They Went From Returns to Real Placements (with...

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/04/03

Michael and Yuka Reschke were doing everything right… but still felt stuck. In this episode, we talk about what changed, how they found their lane, and how they pushed through when quitting seemed easier. Plus, I’m sharing a new epic rock collaboration and I'm reviewing an emotional cinematic cue from 52 Cues member, Simon Armitage. Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/CbSzsfqpVEs Join the 52 Cues Album Accelerator – a self-paced program with over 6.5 hours of video content,...

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58:44

This Dramedy Cue Gets Placed Over and Over!

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/03/27

In this episode, I’m breaking down one of my most placed cues to show what makes a great dramedy cue – and why this quirky genre continues to deliver consistent placements. Plus, I’m sharing a new introspective piano cue and reviewing a modern electro funk cue from 52 Cues neighbor, Corey Dee! Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/MmAFNkRt6bE Join the 52 Cues Album Accelerator – a self-paced program with over 6.5 hours of video content, discussion threads, articles, and resour...

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67:32

Stop Overthinking Chords with This Simple Tool!

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/03/13

Struggling with chord choices or feeling overwhelmed by music theory? I’m sitting down with Chordii co-founder Ian McClellan to talk about how this simple tool can help take the guesswork out of harmony. Plus, I’m sharing a new intrigue with hope cue and reviewing a pulsing tension cue from 52 Cues Family member Daniel Rose. Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/dxzWXS2Ro-c Get your own Chordii at https://chordii.com, and use code 52CUES to get 20% off! Join the 52 Cues Album A...

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50:47

Can Samples Save This Hip-Hop Cue?

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/03/06

Sometimes a cue just needs a little extra something, so in this episode, I’m jumping into the DAW, opening up Splice and Serato Sample, and showing my real-time process for using loops, one-shots, and sample chopping to enhance a hip-hop cue. Plus, I feature my last Modern Comedy cue and I share my thoughts on a reflective piano cue from 52 Cues Family member, Cory Lavine. Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/GjpZLaNW0WA Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymb...

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81:16

7 Keys to Great Collaborations

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/02/27

Teaming up with other composers not only lightens the workload, it pushes you creatively and can open doors to opportunities you wouldn’t have on your own. But collaboration only works when it’s done right, so today we’re talking about seven keys to successful co-writing and how to make sure your next collab is a win-win. Plus, we listen to another modern comedy cue for Discovery Channel, and I share my thoughts on melancholic tension cue by 52 Cues member, Phil Pelateri. Watch this episode o...

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79:37

Reworking, Repurposing, and Reinventing Your Cues...

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/02/20

Feeling like all your cues are starting to sound the same? In this episode, we’re talking about the SCAMPER model, a simple but powerful creativity tool that can help you rethink, reshape, and repurpose your music so you can work smarter and keep your ideas fresh. Plus, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on an epic trailer cue by 52 Cues Friend David Gates and featuring my latest modern comedy cue for Discovery Channel. Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/afc5hr1QSH8 Cymbal SFX - Bowed! ...

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66:43

Do Sync Composers Need Branding? (with Andy Gesner)

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/02/13

In this week's episode, I’m joined by Andy Gesner of HIP Video Promo to talk about why personal branding is becoming harder to ignore – and how production music composers can build a presence without feeling like they have to become content creators. Plus, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on an electronic disco/funk cue by 52 Cues Friend Darko Malcevic and featuring a new contemplative tension cue I've recently written for the Masters! https://www.hipvideopromo.com http://youtube.com/@HIPVideoPr...

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75:37

Production Music Q&A – LIVE!

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/02/06

In this week's episode of the 52 Cues Podcast, we're doing a live Ask Me Anything session! I answer questions about sync licensing, production, and composition! We talk about the US Copyright Office's AI ruling, the importance of adding human elements to cues, and what genres are in demand. I also share my approach to mastering stems, how much you can expect to earn with 500 cues, and a simple stereo widening trick using sample delay. Plus, we talk drum mic techniques, my electronic kit setup...

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51:53

The State of AI in 2025 (with Timothy Andrew Edwards)

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/01/30

In this week's episode, I’m welcoming back Timothy Andrew Edwards to talk about how AI is already affecting gigs, contracts, and the production music industry – and what composers need to do to protect their careers. Plus, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on a cinematic tension cue by 52 Cues Friend Russ Westfield and featuring a new modern comedy cue I've recently written for Discovery Channel!Watch this episode on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/O0k6W9dk-8sCymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes wi...

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35:15

How to Stay Grounded When Sync Feels Overwhelming

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/01/23

Today we’re talking all about how the ancient philosophy of stoicism can help production music composers stay grounded, focused, and resilient in the unpredictable world of sync licensing.Plus, I share my thoughts on a dark fantasy cue written by OG 52 Cues member, Enrico Caporale and feature an intrigue with hope cue of my own.Watch this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/S91wDbJSKrQCymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowe...

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87:20

Sync Trends for 2025 (with Timothy Andrew Edwards)

52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast ·

2025/01/16

This week, I’m joined by production music heavyweight, Timothy Andrew Edwards ,to talk about the trends shaping 2025 – from the growing demand for vocal cues to why tension music still reigns supreme and how composers can stay ahead of the game. Plus, I share my own ominous crime tension cue, “Read Between the Crimes,” and give feedback on a neoclassical action cue from 52 Cues friend, Colin Moseley!Please help people affected by the 2025 California Wildfires by visiting https://redcross.org,...

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