News | Podcasts | Articles
Q&A LIVE
Join me for a special Q&A episode recorded live! I answer your questions about streaming royalties, loudness and mastering practices, sound design, referencing in Ozone, the artisan approach, ride cymbal programming, overcoming fear of submitting to libraries, and many more!
Publisher Cue Review with Jason Moss
Get your cue reviewed by Bulletproof Bear co-founder and creative director, Jason Moss. Get real feedback from a working publisher in the industry!
Indie-Pop Positive Cue Review
Join me as I give critique and feedback on an indie pop positive cue by 52 Cues Community member, Chris Moser.
Standing Out in the Crowd
Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a unique brand in the music industry? Join me as I sit down with Jason Moss, the co-founder of Bulletproof Bear, to unpack his extraordinary journey from being a composer to becoming a music publisher. Jason shares his insights into the value of authentic relationships and how opening your circle to new individuals can make a significant impact.
Your Learning Journey
I once had the task of introducing tech-averse individuals to new technology. It made me reflect on the learning curve. Traditionally visualized as a steady uphill climb, I find this representation misleading. I’ve been lucky enough to teach thousands of students in my higher education career, and I’ve noticed a different pattern.
Fear vs. F.E.A.R.
So, the lesson here is to examine your fears – discern between the necessary caution and the self-imposed limitations. In facing these fears, we might uncover something precious we thought was lost or even discover something new.
Do You *NEED* a YouTube Channel?
What if YouTube could make a real difference in your career as a composer? This podcast episode provides an in-depth analysis of how to leverage YouTube for your career growth. Learn about digital sharecropping, cross-promotion tactics, and more!
Kitschy Jazz Cue Review
Join me as I give critique and feedback on a kitschy jazz cue by 52 Cues Community member, Brian Morales.
You Should Learn Guitar | with Guest Mike Meiers
As production music composers, we often find ourselves reaching for virtual instruments first, but we also know that recording live instruments can bring magic to a cue!
On today's episode, I welcome Emmy Award-winning composer, songwriter, guitarist, and host of the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast, Mike Meiers, to talk about how he uses real instruments on his tracks, and how we shouldn't be afraid to pick up a guitar – even if we don't really know what we're doing!
Unplugging
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to self-care, and that's perfectly fine. Recharging will energize you and enable you to be there for your family, friends, work, or anything that requires your attention.
Who Writes Those Plugin Demos?
One of my favorite things to do whenever any new synth, sample set, or patch library comes out is to take a listen to the demos, but who actually puts these demos together, and how do you land that gig?
Well, we are super fortunate to have a very accomplished demo writer right here in the community, and I’m thrilled to welcome Michal Sinay to this week’s episode of the 52 Cues Podcast.
The “Someday” Trap: Let’s Live Now
Hope is what keeps us going, day after day. We hope that tomorrow will be better than today. And there's something beautifully creative about hope, isn't there? As creators by nature, we constantly seek improvement, forever dreaming of a brighter future, and hope is our companion on the journey.
But is there a catch?
Featured Composer: Michael Reschke
Michael Reschke is a producer who has been a drummer for over 40 years, and a drum and percussion educator for 16 years.
The 5 Lies I Used to (and Still Do) Tell Myself
In the absence of facts, it’s human nature to substitute fears in place of truth, and it seems that no matter how much we grow up and how much we accomplish there are lies we tell ourselves that can keep up from being in the moment or achieving the very success we’re going after.
Life-Giving Goals
Let’s be real: we all have commitments and deadlines that we need to meet. We all have to do stuff we don’t absolutely love, and there are occasions where the SMART-style goal is a fantastic tool to use. But when the majority of our most important goals are life-giving and centered around real-life desires and visions, real progress and real transformations happen.
Featured Composer: Omar Blyde
This track is from Blyde’s album “Orchestral Fantasy.” Have a listen to the track and check out Dave’s feedback!
Left vs Right Brain Thinking for Composers
Our cognitive processes are generally divided into the two hemispheres of our brain. The “left brain” is analytical and logical. The “right brain” houses imagination and intuition. Let’s explore the intersection of neuroscience and composition!
Featured Composer: Jerome Detotto
A lifelong music lover and musician, Jerome performed in nightclubs with rock cover bands in the 1980s. Though he no longer performs live, he continues to write and record music in his home studio. Jerodet Music was created to market his original compositions to the TV and film industry. His music ranges from quirky pop to EDM to orchestral/synth hybrid, and much in between.
How Gaming Makes Me a Better Composer
As a lifelong gamer, I've come to realize that the decades spent leveling characters, looting corpses, and stomping sentient fungus have led to real, tangible skills that have benefited me as a professional composer.
So today, we’re going unpack 5 ways in which gaming can help your career in production music!
Coping with Crisis Mode
Crisis Mode goes into effect when unexpected events—like a family emergency or an intense work period—demand immediate attention, forcing everything else to fall away. These are the moments when our bodies are on constant high-alert, fueled by adrenaline and anxiety.