52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast

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 cues.

Artists & Bands Mentioned

Great Good Fine Okay
Taylor Swift
Dua Lipa
Ariana Grande
Ed Sheeran
Foo Fighters
Nickelback
Big Wreck
Spiritbox
Coheed and Cambria
The Band Feel
Geese
Rush
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
Mariah Carey
Beyoncé
Pink Floyd

Plugins & Tools Mentioned

Spectrasonics Trilian
ProjectSAM Symphobia
iZotope RX / Spectral Repair
Xfer Serum
8Dio Clocks
FAW SubLab
Native Instruments DEFT LINES
Spectrasonics Omnisphere 3
Spectrasonics Keyscape
Native Instruments Guitar Rig
Celemony Melodyne
Ink Audio Ink Steel
Splice
Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.
Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!
Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com
It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry!

Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries.

One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching!

Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

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 reduce friction in the creative process, and how a little practical musicianship can go a long way when writing production music.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JtSSFgLMVWQ
Check out Keyboard Kafé and get 3 months free!
https://keyboardkafe.web.app/promo/52cues
Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.
Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!
Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com
It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry!

Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries.

One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching!

Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

Weekly Feedback - Week 35
https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-35
How Would You Start a Composing Career in 2026 (with Anne-Kathrin Dern)? | 52 Cues Podcast #283
https://my.52cues.com/posts/how-would-you-start-a-composing-career-in-2026-with-anne-kathrin-dern-52-cues-podcast-283
Office Hours
https://my.52cues.com/events/office-hours-104215339
Understanding Library Contracts | Workshop
https://my.52cues.com/events/understanding-library-contracts
Orchestral Chat Club
https://my.52cues.com/events/orchestral-chat-club-102528723
Live Feedback and Critiques (Tuesday)
https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-105502797
A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave
https://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-105573228
Live Feedback and Critiques (Thursday)
https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-105502874
Hip-Hop Tension #4 | Composing Livestream
https://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-4-composing-livestream
Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zJLQy2ipnN8
Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com
It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry!

Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries.

One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching!

Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

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, and the practical steps she’d take to break into the industry today.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/49hI7_Ch81w
https://annedern-filmcomposer.com
https://www.youtube.com/@AnneKathrinDernComposer
We Asked Anne-Kathrin Dern About Her Brutal Composer Advice | 52 Cues Podcast #282
https://youtu.be/rYF_xun27Ec
How Hard Is it to Make a Living in Production Music? | 52 Cues Podcast #278
https://youtu.be/-owQEUH26js

Is Production Music Worth It in 2026? | 52 Cues Podcast #279
https://youtu.be/L9gJYZC8330
Support for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.
Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!
Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com
It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry!

Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries.

One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching!

Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!

Weekly Feedback - Week 34
https://my.52cues.com/posts/weekly-feedback-weekly-feedback-week-34
Office Hours
https://my.52cues.com/events/office-hours-104215323
Live Feedback and Critiques (2 Hr Session)
https://my.52cues.com/events/live-feedback-and-critiques-2-hr-session-100942283
A Little Chat with Shannon and Dave
https://my.52cues.com/events/a-little-chat-with-shannon-and-dave-105573217
Minimal Percussion Dramedy | Brief Info & Cue Review Session
https://my.52cues.com/events/minimal-percussion-dramedy-brief-info-cue-review-session
Dark Sci-Fi Tension | Publisher Deliverables
https://my.52cues.com/events/dark-sci-fi-tension-publisher-deliverables
Hip-Hop Tension #3 | Composing Livestream
https://my.52cues.com/events/hip-hop-tension-3-composing-livestream
Throwback Hip-Hop for RRHOT | Submission Round
https://my.52cues.com/events/throwback-hip-hop-for-rrhot-submission-round
Understanding Library Contracts | Workshop
https://my.52cues.com/events/understanding-library-contracts

Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.com
It's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry!

Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries.

One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching!

Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!