On this week’s 52 Cues Check-In, I talk balancing life, projects, and burnout. Plus I unpack a magical dramedy cue.

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

00:00 - Intro
01:58 - Why I don't write music every single day
10:34 - Cue Breakdown
26:10 - Outro

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

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!

During this week’s 52 Cues Check-In, I discuss whether or not you *have* to go to school to be a professional composer. Plus, I unpack a Central Asian-inspired cue written for a recent Taxi listing!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/mtAy5xhXCY0

00:00 - Intro
01:46 - Let's Talk About Schooling
04:33 - Gain Skills
12:15 - Gain Experience
15:02 - Networking Opportunities
19:15 - Cue Breakdown

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

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 52 Cues Check-In, I talk about ways we can pay work-for-hire musicians to play on our cues. Plus, I unpack a Muppet Show inspired cue featuring Joshua Glenn Wilson on piano!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/Dm37kZ-app0

You can contact Joshua Glenn Wilson here:
https://www.joshuaglennwilson.com/

Sample Work-for-Hire Agreement
https://docs.google.com/document/d/168wn4cXlP8_huvPHDq6NCPGHobVGNQex18w99woZqtg/edit?usp=sharing

00:00 - Intro
06:05 - Pay $$$
09:13 - Pay with Royalty Share
13:16 - Trade (Barter) Services
15:58 - Work-for-Hire Contracts
18:38 - Cue breakdown

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

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 52 Cues Check-In, I talk about how collaboration can yield amazing results that far exceed anything a single composer could do on their own, and I unpack a shredding hard rock cue featuring my personal guitar hero, Donnie Wayne Smith.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/ifJDeCYTK68

Check out Donnie’s YouTube channel!
https://www.youtube.com/donniewaynesmith

This week’s cue breakdown starts at 17:58

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

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!

Join me as I give quick-fire answers to questions posted in the 52 Cues Facebook group from a wide range of topics about the production music industry including copyright, income, NFTs, productivity, royalties, loudness, IMDb, landing your first library, EQing and more! I also unpack a happy ukulele cue which features ukulele percussion effects!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/x9CPbibpH_8

03:47 - Do you have to copyright your own cues?
04:25 - How do you musically communicate emotion?
06:23 - Can you Tap Tempo in Logic Pro?
07:30 - What's up with NFTs?
08:36 - How many tracks do you have in libraries?
09:25 - How doable is it to make 100k or even 50k in income?
11:50 - How many tracks do you need for full-time income?
13:05 - Do you layer drums?
13:25 - How do you start each song?
14:09 - How do you find your first library to submit cues?
16:08 - Is it essential to have an IMDb profile?
17:28 - When will royalties go away?
19:09 - What loudness levels should you shoot for when mastering?
20:01 - What was your path to the industry?
22:05 - It it more important to find 1-2 libraries or should you diversify more?
25:03 - What is your approach to EQing?
27:11 - Cue Breakdown

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

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 check-in, I unpack a happy ukulele cue and come clean about how I mix and master in headphones and why I do it!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/lgHUsC5Vtb4

This week’s cue breakdown starts at 13:20

SoundID Reference by Sonorworks
https://www.sonarworks.com/

Sony MDR-7506 Headphones
https://amzn.to/3vFEFCy

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Headphones
https://amzn.to/3sO8z5B

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which generate a small commission to me at no extra charge for you.

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 check-in, I unpack an uplifting positive cue and tell you about the one habit that dramatically increased both my creativity and productivity.

This week’s cue breakdown starts at 12:41

The Miracle Morning for Writers by Hal Elrod and Steve Scott
https://amzn.to/3vN0IaA

The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod (not an affiliate link)
https://amzn.to/3HUhPcB

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

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 52 Cues vlog I unpack an electro tension cue and talk about royalties, cue sheets, and how long it can take to get paid!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/f7hTUkEp0fk

This week’s cue breakdown starts at 15:26

A Composer's Guide To Library Music Discussion - (Facebook Group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/composersguide

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

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 dive into a Thomas Newman-inspired cue on this week’s vlog and answer a viewer question on whether creativity and music composition can be taught. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/eFsc41BXJnk

This week’s cue breakdown starts at 12:00

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

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!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/PYBVEEl6nmo

Week 11 Cue Breakdown starts at 12:48

Kraft-Engel Management:
http://kraft-engel.com/
PERSPECTIVE Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/556877397821248

Join the 52 Cues Community!
http://52cues.com

Support the channel on Patreon and get access to my weekly music production live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/davekropf

Get critiques on your cues and book online lessons with Dave:
https://davekropf.square.site

#productionmusic #podcast

Special Note: links shown here may be affiliate links which may generate a small commission to me at no extra charge to you.

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!