I quantize all of my MIDI, and I'm not ashamed to admit it! On my Week 46 check-in, I discuss quantization and how I keep things from sounding too mechanical as well as unpack a tension cue which incorporates Omnisphere sounds from The Unfinished (https://theunfinished.co.uk) chosen at random!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/nF9fLYWbfUA

00:00 - Intro
01:48 - Why I quantize all of my MIDI
03:50 - How I keep things from sounding too mechanical
14:24 - Cue Breakdown
27:03 - Outro & Patreon Information

Serato Sample
https://serato.com/sample

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!

I was terrified of mastering until I embraced Izotope's Ozone mastering plugin. On my Week 45 vlog, I take you through my entire mastering process as I use Ozone to master my latest tension cue, "Focus on the Fingerprints."

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/eUg2Wyfd8VE

Ozone Course from MacProVideo
https://macprovideo.com/course/ozone-9-mastering-toolbox

00:00 - Intro
02:32 - Don't Be Afraid of Mastering
06:22 - Overview of Ozone
09:09 - EQ
11:16 - Low End Focus
12:32 - Dynamic Compression
14:44 - Exciter
17:14 - Imager
19:52 - Mid/Side EQ
22:09 - Maximizer (Limiter)
26:51 - Final Master and Cue Breakdown 
37:30 - Outro & Patreon Information

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!

On my week 44 check-in, I discuss why I use the same song form on nearly every production music cue, and I unpack that form on a recent flamenco-infused dramedy cue.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/PM1slrenAHU

00:00 - Intro
01:54 - Form and Structure in Production Music
31:42 - Outro & Patreon Information

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!

Is production music art? I talk about that, discuss my guiding philosophy that helps to drive my output, and break down a trap-infused dramedy cue on my Week 43 check-in.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/SInaooqYOQk

00:00 - Intro
01:38 - The “Artisan” approach
17:48 - Cue Breakdown
33:37 - Outro & Patreon Information

Serato Sample
https://serato.com/sample

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!

I'm talking all about samples on my Week 42 vlog check-in and discussing how the Serato Sample plugin allowed me to incorporate skills and techniques from my days as a DJ! Then I breakdown a sample-based hip-hop cue which has zero virtual instruments!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/erLDs7hSzI0

00:00 - Intro
01:43 - How Serato Sample redefined my use of samples
18:31 - Cue Breakdown
33:08 - Outro & Patreon Information

Serato Sample
https://serato.com/sample

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!

On my Week 42 vlog check-in I go over how I organize my catalog and files, I discuss some tools I use to keep large projects organized, and I share a cautionary tale of what happens when the system breaks down!  Plus, I go over a recent pop/edm/synthwave cue!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/55qO-774nG4

00:00 - Intro
01:59 - A cautionary tale of what happens when the organizational system breaks down.
09:48 - Using Asana to organize a large project
15:49 - Cue Breakdown
25:40 - Outro & Patreon Information

Asana Project Management System
http://asana.com/

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!

I'm exhausted after an intense Week 40 which found me working in a field I *thought* I wanted to explore more. Then I breakdown a recent dramedy cue that breaks not one, but TWO of my cardinal rules of production music.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/vaby9UwrjKI

Underqualified Advice: (and Other Amusing Diversions) by Drew Hayes
https://amzn.to/3ool6tO

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!

On my Week 39 vlog check-in, I discuss why we as composers need to think like an editor and the things we can do to make their life easier (and get us more placements!). Plus, I unpack a holiday-flavored dramedy cue which features the lydian dominant mode!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/efU3tUCSNzE

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!

On this week's super-sized vlog check-in, I answer more of your questions about the production music industry, then I unpack my Week 38 cue which features sounds recorded from kitchen utensils!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/NK7xF55cl4w

Note: Links to products here may contain affiliate links which generate a small commission. This helps to keep things cooking along on the channel and is of no cost to you.

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:51 - What are your strategies for working with libraries?
09:16 - What is your approach to get realistic string sounds?
14:39 - Can you help explain royalties?
20:14 - Do you upload your cues to Soundcloud before or after they’ve been accepted to a library?
22:08 - Should I register my music with my PRO before posting to YouTube?
24:23 - What is my best placement?
29:21 - Cue Breakdown

All You Need to Know About the Music Business: 10th Edition
by Donald Passman
https://amzn.to/3mcCJeb

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!

On my Week 37 vlog check-in, I talk about the one thing I do to add realism to nearly every cue, and I unpack a dramedy tension cue!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/Y7s7WfAcVkc

00:00 - Intro
01:16 - The One Thing I do to add realism to my cues
12:06 - Cue Breakdown
22:49 - Outro & Patreon Information

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!