52 Cues - A Production Music and Sync Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, I unpack what it really means to write an editor-friendly cue. We’ll look at the six essentials that reduce friction in the edit bay and I'll walk through a Shark Week investigation cue I recently wrote and put it to the test.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2FoaMZuqekk

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, I unpack my approach to writing melodies that really work inside production music cues. I  walk through how I build motivic ideas, how modes shape the emotional color of a phrase, and how static melodies can create forward motion without getting in the way.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mTf90xoGIdc

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 today’s episode, we’re talking about the unexpected breakdowns that threaten to bring your entire creative process to a halt. Plus, Dave features “Thoughts and Prayers,” a recent ominous tension cue written for a documentary.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/SHb9GCqSlyg

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 a give feedback on a spy dramedy cue by 52 Cues community member, Simon Tong.

Watch this on YouTube
https://youtu.be/XXIIYgdW91I

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 a give feedback on an Arabian orchestral cue by 52 Cues community member, Mark Morgon-Shaw.

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/-g0QbLp4lVY

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!

If you’ve been watching my videos for any length of time you know I love to use metaphors to break down complex topics, and I have found a kindred spirit in composer and concert pianist, Philip Johnston of Orchestration Recipes, who joins me to unpack how he makes advanced musical concepts much less intimidating!

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/3p45O1WMf7A

Orchestration Recipes
https://orchestrationrecipes.com

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@orchestrationrecipes

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
01:51 - Interview with Philip Johnston
03:26 - Philip's musical journey
09:31 - An alternative way to represent music theory
15:37 - Is it necessary for composers to be 100% full-time to be taken seriously?
18:05 - Why is the traditional teaching of music theory stuck in one system?
21:24 - The orchestration recipes system
33:04 - How do people get the most from the recipes?
34:43 - Volumes 3 & 4 of orchestration recipes - "the spices"
37:25 - A video example from volume 3 "spices"
40:55 - How should people best use these responsibly?
41:47 - Any specific advice for media composers?
47:32 - How to learn more about Philip and orchestration recipes
47:55 - Outro and How You Can Join the 52 Cues Community!

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!

Ready for a bone-chilling journey through soundscapes from comedic to terrifying? We promise to thrill you with 19 mind-bending cues as we navigate the murky depths of horror and comedic music. Not only that, but we're putting the power in your hands to vote for your favorite track, ensuring that the most spine-tingling tune gets the love it deserves!

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t2amtX_T7A

There's still time to vote!
https://bit.ly/52CFrightNight

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 a give feedback on a hybrid horror cue by 52 Cues community member, John Dupont!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/j45zcbO6yAQ

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!

Name-brand composers often employ teams of ghost writers and composers assistants to help get their projects over the finish line. While an accomplished film/TV composer himself, Jonas Friedman joins me today to talk about his experiences in the industry and how often times paying your dues can really pay off.

Watch this episode on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eolZIYTVAmE

00:00 - Intro & Welcome
02:10 - Interview with Jonas Friedman
14:08 - What advice can we offer composers who might feel taken advantage of?
20:26 - A day in the life of a composer's assistant
24:25 - Do you have to live in L.A. to work in the film music business?
32:00 - Jonas talks about mentoring and teaching aspiring composers
41:03 - Authenticity in composing
48:24 - Where can folks learn more about Jonas?
49:53 - Outro & How You Can Support 52 Cues!

Links
https://www.youtube.com/@jonasfriedman
https://www.modernmediacomposer.com/
https://www.jonasfriedman.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jonasfriedmanmusic

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 a give feedback on an uplifting piano and orchestra cue by 52 Cues community member, Jake Cox!

Watch this on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjRMlqjtVhM

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!