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52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast

by Dave Kropf

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Latest episodes

Is There Still Money in Sync in 2026?

October 22, 2026 · 54 min

In this episode, Dave and Jeff explore whether there's still money to be made in sync in 2026, comparing royalties from network sports, cable TV, streaming, and advertising while discussing upfront fees, building a profitable music…
Can Production Music Prepare You for Film Scoring?

October 15, 2026 · 43 min

In this episode, production music composer and 52 Cues community mentor Mary Shaw shares what she learned during five months at Michael Whittaker's Scorecraft Academy, including which production music skills translate to film scoring…
Reviewing Your Cues LIVE

October 1, 2026 · 2 hr 2 min

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…
What I Listen For When Reviewing Cues

September 24, 2026 · 25 min

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…
The Unwritten Rules of Sync

September 17, 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

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…

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The Non-Negotiables of Production Music Genres

September 10, 2026 · 1 hr 29 min

In this episode Dave and 52 Cues community mentor Jeff LaPlante break down the non-negotiable sounds, arranging choices, and production techniques behind dramedy, tension, hip-hop, pop, rock, emotional, holiday, country, and vocal…
How Much Music Theory Does a Producer Really Need? (with Dr. Tim Stulman)

September 3, 2026 · 53 min

In this episode, Dave talks with Dr. Tim Stulman, Program Director for Music Production at Full Sail University and creator of Keyboard Kafe, about how much music theory producers really need, why basic keyboard and ear-training skills can…
How Would You Start a Composing Career in 2026 (with Anne-Kathrin Dern)?

August 27, 2026 · 47 min

In this episode, film and game composer Anne-Kathrin Dern joins Dave to talk about how she’d start a composing career in 2026, including the differences between film, games, and production music, the changing role of composer assistants…
We Asked Anne-Kathrin Dern About Her Brutal Composer Advice

August 20, 2026 · 45 min

In this episode, film and game composer Anne-Kathrin Dern joins Dave to talk about her recent brutally honest composer advice, how her own career has evolved, and how she actually gets hired. Watch this episode on YouTube…
I Wrote 8 Cues in a Week and Didn’t Burn Out

August 13, 2026 · 27 min

In this episode, Dave reflects on what he learned from spending an entire week focused almost exclusively on writing music, and how simplicity, flow state, and avoiding constant context switching helped him finish eight cues without…
Have You Outgrown Your Composer Workflow?

August 6, 2026 · 39 min

In this episode, Dave talks with Pibox founder and CEO Ivan Talaichuk about the point where Dropbox, email, and spreadsheets stop being enough and what production music composers can learn from the way professional music teams manage…
Is Production Music Worth It in 2026?

July 23, 2026 · 1 hr 7 min

In part two of their response to Anne-Kathrin Dern's brutally honest career advice, Jeff and Dave look at the money, the workload, the lifestyle, and the growing guru culture, to answer the question every production music composer…

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About the show

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.