52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast

In this episode, trailer composer Randon Purcell breaks down what it actually takes to write modern trailer music, from massive structure and signature sounds to trends, placements, and surviving in a saturated market.
Fallout Music Group: http://falloutmusicgroup.com  
Randon’s Trailer Course (Hybrid Orchestral Composition and Sound): https://www.masterthescore.com/course/hybrid-orchestral-composition-and-sound
Brand X Music: https://brandxmusic.net
Brand X Music x Fallout Music Group Composer Competition
Brand X Music is launching a brand-new composer competition in collaboration with Fallout Music Group and they're looking for fun, snappy, modern promo cues built around Fallout’s new Promo Horns instrument and sound pack.
Up to 3 winning tracks will be selected for a future Brand X Music album.
Submission Guidelines:
Must be completely original, unreleased, and 100% AI-free
Length: 1:30–2:00
Written specifically for modern promo use
Must feature Fallout’s Promo Horns instrument & sound pack
Deadline: Midnight (MST) on March 5, 2026
Grab Promo Horns here:
https://falloutmusicgroup.com/products/promo-horns
Submit your cue to: [email protected]
Winners will be notified via email and announced on social media.

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!
Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!

https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues

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, me and 52 Cues mentor Mary Shaw unpack why “bad workflow” is often a misdiagnosis and how simple project management tools can make writing and delivering cues feel far more doable.
Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/kEP9Ixeesfg
Getting Things Done by David Allen - https://amzn.to/49ZFIRB
Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte - https://amzn.to/4rxRIQ6
Essentialism by Greg McKeown - https://amzn.to/46ngzhj
Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky - https://amzn.to/3ZmgvKX
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!
Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!

https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues

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, Jeff Hargrove and I talk about the early mistakes new composers often make when stepping into production music – from chasing plugins and genres to overlooking the fundamentals that actually move the needle. 
Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/RSM5S5sPFpQ
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!
Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!

https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues

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!

This week, Greg Fellman and I talk work-life balance and how routines, boundaries, travel, burnout, and community can actually recharge you instead of distracting you.
Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/IVm4dxN1SWQ
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!
Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!

https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues

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, Jeff LaPlante and I talk about how production and library music has changed in the last decade, why authenticity matters more, and how streaming has shifted the royalty game.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6gPapVS1b5o
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!
Cymbal SFX - Bowed! Elevate your soundscapes with Cymbal SFX - Bowed—a masterful collection of 68 unique bowed cymbal performances, meticulously recorded for tension-filled tracks and cinematic trailers. Now available exclusively at Production Music Tools!

https://productionmusictools.com/products/bowed-cymbals-by-52-cues

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!