I yelled at a cop on Friday.

Doing this in the US is arguably a dumb decision.

The cop was biking on the sidewalk (bicycle cops....the most scary of the all!), and I yelled:

It's illegal to bike on the sidewalk!

The cop quickly replied:

Not for cops!

And because I'm a smart ass I had to have the last word:

That's a double standard!

And then I hurried away because I didn't want to become a statistic.

Doing this in the US is arguably a dumb decision.

But I'm still alive so let me tell you what it has to do with being a professional engineer.

It got me thinking about the double standard we sometimes impose on ourselves as engineers.

It's the double standard between thinking of yourself as an amateur instead of as a professional.

If we think of ourselves as amateurs all the time we're letting ourselves down.

"My mixes sound amateurish."

"I wish I could get the PRO gear so I can record the PRO songs."

et al.

I think that if you do audio for a living in exchange for money or any other form of value (musical instruments, food, beer, sexual favors, whatever floats your boat...), then you should look at yourself as a PRO engineer.

Yeah, maybe your first mixes sound "amateurish" but that's only the start. If you think they sound amateurish but the client loves it and pays you for it then you're already a pro.

You're a pro that might have a lot to learn but guess what? The professionals you look up to and admire so highly are also always learning!

So stop the double standard in your mind and start thinking of yourself as a professional.

And don't yell at cops. That's just dumb.

Exclusive Audio Issues Pro Mix Academy Special

I'm running a special this week for anybody who wants to become a little more pro with their mixes.

If you buy any of the Pro Mix Academy tutorials I will include my Recording & Mixing Strategies Plus bundle for free (that's a $77 value).

Their tutorials are taught by seasoned veterans such as Warren Huart (Aerosmith, Korn), David Glenn (Aimee Allen, Blanca Callahan) and Bob Horn (Usher, Akon). They show you both inside the box mixing as well as hybrid analog/digital mixing and range from singer/songwriter style songs to mixing indie rock.

The Recording & Mixing Strategies bundle includes two eBooks, plus a collection of videos about everything related to the recording and mixing process.

• Recording Strategies is filled with shortcuts to great recordings without the tedious technical explanations.
• Mixing Strategies offers simple to use tricks to make your drums, guitars, vocals and low-end sound tighter and cleaner.

Here's what you do to take advantage of the offer:

1. Grab any of the tutorials inside Pro Mix Academy through this link.
2. Send me an email with your receipt
3. I will send you the entire $77 Recording & Mixing Strategies Plus bundle for free.

This offer expires on Friday so get it before I yell at another cop.