52 Cues - A Production Music Podcast
Your weekly insight into all things production music, library music, and sync licensing!
Hosted by Dave Kropf, a production music composer, podcaster, and educator based in Orlando, Florida.
His credits include CBS Sports (NFL, PGA, NCAA and more), NFL Network, The Golf Channel, FOX Sports, ESPN, ABC, Netflix, Sony, Amazon, Showtime, Disney, Discovery, Animal Planet, OWN, TLC, The History Channel, USA, TBS, E!, Bravo, TNT, TruTV, and many others.
Episodes
248 episodes
Pomp and Circumstance – Composer Quest LIVE!
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 ...
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Season 2025
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Episode 19
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53:17
Even More Inconvenient Truths About Production Music
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
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Season 2025
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Episode 18
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44:35
The Four "C's" of Success
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...
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Season 2025
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Episode 17
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48:49
These 5 Small Choices Can Mean Huge Growth
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 m...
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Season 2025
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Episode 16
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49:56
An Editor Tells Why Great Cues Get Cut! (with Biagio Messina)!
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...
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Season 2025
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Episode 15
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1:46:03
These Climbers Made the Summit of Expedition 52!
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, ...
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Season 2025
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Episode 14
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1:21:37
They Went From Returns to Real Placements (with Michael Reschke)!
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 roc...
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Season 2025
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Episode 13
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1:16:40
This Dramedy Cue Gets Placed Over and Over!
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 m...
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Season 2025
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Episode 12
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58:44
Stop Overthinking Chords with This Simple Tool!
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 i...
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Season 2025
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Episode 10
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1:07:32
Can Samples Save This Hip-Hop Cue?
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.&n...
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Season 2025
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Episode 9
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49:57
7 Keys to Great Collaborations
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 ke...
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Season 2025
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Episode 8
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1:20:26
Reworking, Repurposing, and Reinventing Your Cues with SCAMPER
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 ke...
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Season 2025
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Episode 7
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1:18:47
Do Sync Composers Need Branding? (with Andy Gesner)
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 cre...
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Season 2025
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Episode 6
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1:05:53
Production Music Q&A – LIVE!
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 h...
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Season 2025
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Episode 5
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1:14:47
The State of AI in 2025 (with Timothy Andrew Edwards)
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 th...
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Season 2025
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Episode 4
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51:02
How to Stay Grounded When Sync Feels Overwhelming
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 ...
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Season 2025
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Episode 3
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34:24
Sync Trends for 2025 (with Timothy Andrew Edwards)
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...
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Season 2025
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Episode 2
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1:26:30
How To Work Smarter, Not Harder
In this episode, I’m sharing six practical strategies to help you streamline your workflow, save time, and stay creative – from reusing sounds and organizing your library to simplifying your mix and using reference cues for structure. Plus, I r...
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Season 2025
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Episode 1
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43:22
Looking Back on 2024 and What's Ahead for 2025
On this final episode of the year, I’m reflecting on 2024 – the milestones, lessons learned, and highlights from both my personal journey and the 52 Cues community. Plus, I’ll share a sneak peek into what’s coming in 2025 and the goals I’m sett...
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Season 2024
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Episode 52
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40:41
The 3 Keys to a Long (and Happy!) Career
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 ep...
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Season 2024
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Episode 51
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23:08
Why Does it Take So Long to Get Paid?
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!
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Season 2024
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Episode 50
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25:19
What Defines the "Mood" in a Cue?
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://yout...
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Season 2024
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Episode 49
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32:31
It's Episode 200! What Have I Learned?
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 YouTubeh...
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Season 2024
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Episode 48
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49:43
Understanding Ominous Tension
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 epis...
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Season 2024
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Episode 47
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41:34
Is Originality Overrated?
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 expectatio...
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Season 2024
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Episode 46
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49:26