Best Microphone For Voice Over Mac

• Best Microphone For Voice Recognition
• Best Voice Microphone

Testing 10 voice recording applications was both educational and informative. We pushed each one to its limit testing its organizational, audio capturing and audio editing abilities, extensive file conversion and compression functionality, and even file importing and exporting abilities.

Music, video, voice chat, voice messages, video blog or anything to do with a voice needs a microphone that delivers high-quality sound. Instead of relying on the traditional microphones that cannot be connected to the laptops or desktop computers, people have opted for USB microphones. 4: Blue Snowball Ice Usb Microphone – Best Usb Microphone for Voice Over Recording The next up is another good entry of the blue, the blue snowball ice reviews. The Blue Snowball Ice is a Cardioid pattern Usb Microphone deliver the gorgeous details of your Podcast, Voice Over, and home base studio as well.

WavePad is an easy-to-use audio recording application that’s feature-rich and powerful. Although it lacks unlimited technical support, it can handle any project and create professional-quality audio recordings.

We ran multiple tests using a USB microphone, a computer’s built-in microphone, CDs, DVDs, streaming audio and other input sources to test standard audio capture, scheduled capture and voice-activated capture.

This showed us which programs could recognize and capture a quality audio recording. We worked with several built-in filters and special effects to determine the extent of each application’s editing abilities, as well as how efficiently it could edit.

We also compared each program’s features and functionality with its price to determine its overall value for any user.

Our overall winner is WavePad. It has a clean and highly intuitive interface that’s approachable for users of any experience level.

It works with and wide variety of file formats, filters and special effects so you can polish your audio tracks.

Best Overall

WavePad

WavePad is an easy-to-use audio recording application that’s feature-rich and powerful. Although it lacks unlimited technical support, it can handle any project and create professional-quality audio recordings.

Best Value

Audacity

Audacity is free audio recording software aimed at those focusing more on recording and editing voice audio clips rather than recording or building multi-track beats made from samples and loops.

Best DAW Crossover

Mixcraft 8

Mixcraft 8 is easy-to-use audio recording software with superb functionality and extensive control over filters and special effects editing. You can record multiple tracks and even convert or compress files.

Product	Price	Overall Rating	Price	Interface	Filter/Effect	Compatibility	Help & Support	Price	Ease of Use Score	Recording Timer	Voice-Activated Recording	Digital & Analog Rip	Burn Option	Configurable Interface	File Compression	Change File Format	Equalize	Reverberation	Fade In/Out	Pop and Click Removal	Noise Reduction	Edit Silence	Mono to Stereo	MP3	WAV	FLAC	AAC	Direct Support	Online Resources	User Forum
WavePad	View Deal	5/5	$39.95	10	10	10	10	$39.95	A+	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Chat, Email, Phone	✓	✓
Audacity 2.2.2	View Deal	5/5	$0.00	10	10	10	5	$0.00	A-	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓	✓
RecordPad Home	View Deal	4.5/5	$29.95	8.5	10	8.5	9	$29.95	B	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	Email, Phone	✓	✓
GoldWave	View Deal	4/5	$45.00	7.5	10	10	8	$45.00	A	✓	✓	✓	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Email	✓	✓
Blaze Media Pro	View Deal	4/5	$50.00	8.8	8.5	10	6.3	$50.00	A-	✓	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Email	✓	-
Mixcraft 8	View Deal	4/5	$179.00	8.8	8.5	8.5	8	$179.00	A-	✓	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓	✓	✓	-	Email	✓	✓
i-Sound Recorder 7	View Deal	4/5	$29.95	7.3	2.8	8.5	10	$29.95	B-	✓	✓	✓	-	✓	✓	✓	-	-	-	-	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	Chat, Phone, Email	✓	✓
RipEditBurn 2.3.42	View Deal	3.5/5	$39.95	4.8	7.3	5.8	6.3	$39.95	B+	-	-	✓	✓	-	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	Email	✓	✓
AV Music Morpher Gold	View Deal	3.5/5	$99.95	4.8	7.3	8.5	8	$99.95	C	-	-	✓	✓	-	-	✓	✓	-	✓	✓	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	-	Email	✓	-
Audio Recorder Platinum 4.5	View Deal	3/5	$31.45	5.8	2.8	5.8	6.3	$31.45	D	✓	✓	✓	-	✓	-	✓	-	-	-	-	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	-	Email	✓	-

Best Overall

Reasons to Buy

It has over 20 filters and audio effects, the best among programs we tested.

It’s compatible with all common file formats.

Reasons to Avoid

Technical support is only available via pricey tiered packages.

There aren’t as many fade options as other programs.

Master's Edition Quarterly Plan

$5.50

Standard Edition

Master's Edition

WavePad is intuitive and powerful voice recording software that’s simple enough for a novice to use. It is compatible with a multitude of audio file formats and gives you the option to convert files to an equally large array of audio formats. The program can mix and split audio files, edit silences, reduce or eliminate background noise, integrate filters and special effects, and even convert a mono audio file into stereo.

The program’s layout is clean and intuitive, and meant to encourage a smooth workflow. It does an impressive job of balancing all of its features without hurting its usability. Toolbars within change as you click on different tabs, keeping features and functions organized. It lets you customize the toolbar to include or remove any tool and configure many other features to create an optimal workspace.
WavePad comes with tons of effects and filters, which can be applied manually or set automatically. Whether you want to add distortion, reverb or a delay to your latest song, or you need to amplify, reverse, fade out or otherwise tweak and equalize your tracks, WavePad makes it easy to do that. And if you need to convert a file to a different format that’s compatible with your gear, such as to MP3, you can quickly do so.

Best Value

Reasons to Buy

It works on any operating system.

Reasons to Avoid

There is no dedicated support option besides a community forum.

There are no beat-making tools.

Audacity

Despite being open-sourced and free, Audacity has held its own for years amongst other pricy options within the audio recording software industry. Its availability for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux has the more OS compatibility than any of the paid options. Its clean interface is approachable even for the most novice of users. Beware, however, that Audacity’s bare-bones design is geared more for users wanting to create vocal audio for a podcast, rather than multi-track music created from samplers, loops and MIDI instruments. Overall, though, Audacity is an immense value, especially for anyone wanting to try out a program like this before dropping serious cash.

Don’t be fooled by Audacity’s simplistic interface; within a few minutes of tinkering, you can easily find a battery of features and controls. The program makes it easy to connect and set up external equipment, record, edit and mix tracks, and polish your work before exporting it. You have access to tools for adjusting things like treble and bass, and even frequency analysis. The largest downside of the program, however, is that it makes use of destructive editing, which means that any changes you make on your track alter its actual waveform – the original file – and you can’t undo them later.
Should you have a question regarding the software, Audacity has tons of informational resources on its website including tutorials, manuals and a community user forum. However, unlike the other programs we reviewed, there is no direct customer service.

Best DAW Crossover

Reasons to Buy

It has advanced abilities like pitch correction and plug-in support.

It includes over 7,800 loops, samples and sound effects.

The software has an integrated recording timer for defined sessions.

Reasons to Avoid

Customer service is only available via email.

Although Mixcraft 8 is easy enough for people of any experience level to use, the recording application looks and works like a digital audio workstation and has an intimidating-looking interface. However, after tinkering for a few minutes, anyone can see that the software is powerful and full of features to help you not only record your audio but edit, enhance and burn it as well. And while it is the priciest program we tested, it’s also the most versatile and a great option for those focusing on audio engineering and music recording.

Mixcraft is stocked with an arsenal of over 7,800 loops, special effects, filters, digital instruments and samplers. It also boasts unlimited submix nesting, allowing you to tweak each track perfectly. All of the standard effects and editing functions are available to you, including an equalizer as well as fade and reverb options. It can reduce or eliminate unwanted background noise, remove pops and clicks, and edit silences in your tracks. There is no option for converting a mono audio file to stereo. You can set a recording timer; however, the biggest downside to this particular program is that it doesn’t have a voice-activated recording option. There’s also no ripping or burning option.

Most Recording Options

Reasons to Buy

It has more recording, burning and ripping options than any other application in our comparison.

Reasons to Avoid

RecordPad Audio Recorder Home License

RecordPad Audio Recorder Professional

Though RecordPad is technically part of a larger range of digital audio applications from NCH Software, it runs as a standalone recording tool capable of supporting audio feeds from multiple channels.

You can use the other programs to complement and enhance RecordPad’s abilities, however. The software supports audio input from all sources using default application settings and the “loop cable” method, and it allows you to capture audio from internet streaming sources, a line-in device or computer playback.
With this recording software, you can record, rip or burn audio, and schedule future recordings, though you may need to enable a plugin for editing, conversion and burning functions. If you want to edit or add effects to your audio, you’ll have access to noise reduction, reverb, pop and click removal, equalizing and fade among other abilities. However, keep in mind that the program’s weak point is its limited file format compatibility. It’s only compatible with WAV, MP3 and FLAC, unlike other programs that include several others.

Most Support Options

Reasons to Buy

There are ample technical support resources for education and troubleshooting.

Reasons to Avoid

It doesn’t include timer or voice-activated recording features.

AV Music Morpher Gold - 5.0

AV Music Morpher Gold is straightforward voice recording software that leaves out the frills.

It’s also backed by more technical support and informational resources than any other application in our comparison. It has enough tools to help you record and edit audio as well as convert file formats and burn audio as needed. The software is decently easy to use and leaves out super advanced features, making it great for the average user. Despite slightly missing the mark with a few editing effects and recording tools, it is a powerful option nonetheless.
The program supports audio input sources from all standard audio feed and input sources, such as line-in devices, microphones, internet streaming, video playback and audio playback. To record audio, you’ll have to manually initiate the process, as there are no voice-activation or timer options. If you’re wanting to rip audio rather than record it, the software has a tool for doing so, and you can save to WMA, MP3, WAV, OGG and FLAC formats among others. You can also easily apply a variety of filters to your audio, including amplify, notch filter, mix and normalize, then alter the pitch, timbre, speed and other settings.

Why Trust Us

We have been reviewing voice recording software for over eight years, and our most recent series of in-house tests took over 15 hours. Each program was carefully assessed and thoroughly tested by multiple qualified experts who record audio by trade (and sometimes just for fun). We set up multiple testing scenarios involving microphones, CDs, DVDs, flash drives and other audio input sources to simulate how the software would typically be used.

In addition, our test assistants evaluated each program’s ease of use and effectiveness. They told us who they thought would enjoy the software most – beginners or experienced users. Our assistants also discussed their opinions on each application’s customizability options and tools for both editing and exporting audio. All of this factored into our final scoring of each of these 10 products.

How Much Does Voice Recording Software Cost?

Voice recording software that you can use at home is largely free, thanks to popular and powerful programs like Audacity. However, there are also paid options that run from $30 up to $200, though at the higher end, the software becomes more of a DAW.

Why Voice Recording Software?

How many times have you regretted not recording an important phone conversation, business meeting or class lecture? Or perhaps you missed the opportunity to digitize your cherished cassettes and vinyl collection before time and use took their toll on them. Luckily, audio recording software presents us with a way to capture and preserve audio digitally.

Good voice recording software, with ample features and tools, is a prerequisite to a quality digital reproduction. The quality of your audio recordings, especially voice, has to be maintained through its various stages of recording, mixing, editing and burning. Otherwise, the end product could be compromised and, in extreme cases, rendered inaudible or unusable. This seemingly ominous task is made easy with modern recording software. Any person, with a little practice, can master this user-friendly software.

Key Features to Look for in Voice Recording Software

Most of the voice recording programs in our comparison come bundled with all the required tools and features needed to perform several tasks, including audio input, editing and output. There are a number of aspects you should consider while evaluating your voice recording options. Below are the features and criteria we looked at to compare the best voice recording software:

Audio Feed/Input Source for Capture
Recording is traditionally done using a microphone and line-in jacks located on the audio interface panel of the computer system. But more advanced software also supports audio pick-up from media playback; CD, VCD, DVD, USB devices; internet streaming; phone recording or any audio playback by sound card. Essentially, you can record any audio being played by or through the computer. The best recording applications understand this and already have the ability to work with you if you need to work with other input sources. Consider your current input methods – and any you plan to use in the future – before choosing an application.

Record/Rip/Burn Features
A few additional features are essential to the recording and sharing process. For example, recording timers and schedulers let you define the time frame of a particular session, ensuring that your recordings start and end exactly when you need. Similarly, voice-activated recording automates the start of a recording session whenever a predefined level of audio signal (decibels) is registered by the software. All of these can make it a little easier to record things like a podcast or a college lecture without wasting space on your computer’s hard drive.

A program with both digital and analog ripping offers the most versatility for a variety of needs. Digital ripping is useful when recording digital media, and you need analog ripping with copy-protected digital media that cannot be ripped conventionally. Both are handy methods to digitize your aging CD or DVD collection, for example. Burn tools are used for saving files to optical media for storage and playback.

Filters, Effects and Editing
Most of the time, simply recording the audio isn’t enough; you may want to enhance the recording or edit the files before releasing your finalized product. You might need to edit a silence, add a filter or special effect, or manage background noise. Most programs can handle standard editing needs, but the best applications can handle whatever you throw at them.

Many programs let you trim or insert a silence in an audio track or file, which typically smooths out the flow of a recording or makes it easier to add music or other effects later. Special effects like Sound Warmer, Bass Boost or Echo can also be applied to further enhance or achieve a particular audio effect. Whether you’re using filters and effects to enhance clarity or for fun voice morphing, a good set of filters is an essential component of voice recording software. Some programs – typically those with a DAW interface – offer far more effects and editing options, as they are closer to the software that studio audio engineers use.

A program with a noise reduction function can mostly or completely eliminate background noise interfering with your actual recording, such as your air conditioner, refrigerator or a vacuum. Any program worth its weight will also have a pop and click removal option for handling additional unwanted noise. Although a frequent problem, pops and clicks can come from a variety of sources and often be fussy to track down and resolve. So, having a program that automatically monitors and limits that is essential, especially if you don’t have the extra dough to purchase things like a pop filter or a more powerful CPU for your computer.

Options to change a file format and size are also useful and are often used to output files in the desired audio quality, typically to MP3. An integrated ID3 tag editor is also useful to label files appropriately for better organization for archiving and future searches.

Supported Formats
If the software can’t manage or play all of your audio files, what good is it? While most voice recording suites are compatible with only a few of the most common audio file types – MP3, WAV, WMA – others go the extra mile and support additional file types, like FLAC and AAC, as well as file compression and converting. Top programs are not only compatible with a wide variety of file formats but are also adept at importing and exporting files.

Ease of Use
Recording your voice – or any audio, for that matter – on your computer can be difficult when you factor in things like choosing and setting up hardware or searching for the right software application to use. However, it doesn’t have to be, and choosing the best voice recording program can make things much easier. From installation to implementation to actual use, the entire process of voice recording should be straightforward and simple.

Best Microphone For Voice Recognition

Help & Support
A good help and support system is essential for a speedy and trouble-free learning experience, and further instilling confidence in the user. Help files, manuals, FAQs and tutorials address day to day issues, whereas phone support, email, live chat and forums are best for solving specific issues. The best developers host a full array of informational resources on their website and provide multiple ways to contact their technical support teams directly.

Voice Recording Software vs. DAW

You may have heard the terms “voice recording software” and “DAW” used interchangeably, but it’s important to know their similarities as well as how they differ. By learning more about these types of software, you can be better informed to make the best choice for your needs.

Voice recording software is the simpler of the two. You can record audio manually or set the program to run on a schedule or be triggered by sound over a certain decibel level. Afterward, you can edit the audio with special effects. In addition, this type of program has tools you can use to trim files, eliminate unwanted background noise and export. Voice recording software works on a laptop or desktop computer, and some programs even have compatible mobile apps you can use while you’re on the road. This is also the cheaper of the two types of software, making it a great choice for those on a budget as well as anyone not using it for professional audio production.

Best Voice Microphone

A digital audio workstation (DAW) is a more heavy-duty version of voice recording software. This kind of software can handle more inputs and tracks, has wider file format compatibility, and generally produces higher quality audio files. Because DAWs are more powerful, they cost more and are predominantly made for audio professionals. As such, they have steep learning curves. However, once you get a handle on how to use the software, and especially if you can afford quality recording hardware in addition to it, you can churn out beautiful, complex audio tracks worthy of a Grammy.

Related Product Reviews

Best Kodi For Mac 2017

The Best Kodi Build Ever 2017. Kodicommunity.com Kodi Build Ever. The Best Kodi Build Ever 2017. Kodicommunity.com Kodi Build Ever. The no 1 site for Kodi related Tips and Tricks, information and all the latest news and more! If you are wanting the best builds for kodi please click on our link HERE. Don’t forget to read instructions after installation. Enjoy How to Install Kodi 17.6 Krypton for Mac December 2017. All files are uploaded by users like you, we can’t guarantee that How to Install Kodi 17.6 Krypton for Mac December 2017 are up to date. Kodi for PC Download & Install on Computer [2017 Guide] April 20, 2017 By kodiapptv Certainly, people have been watching the movies and videos nowadays on their smartphone devices.

• How To Install Kodi For Mac
• Best Kodi For Mac

Kodi is an open source Home Theatre Software (That’s what developers said) that let you stream Music, Movies, TV Shows, Sports and LIVE TV on your device for free. Kodi is very popular as it is available for almost all the popular OS such as Android, Mac, iOS, Windows, Linux and even for Rasberry Pi.

Using Kodi, you can enjoy LIVE TV on your device without spending your hard earned money on cable expenses. You can watch LIVE TV in your Car (Not Driving), Office, Park or while laying on your bed. All you need to install Kodi on your device be it Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Android TV boxes and install LIVE TV Add-ons on Kodi and there you have your small portable TV in your hand. There are some Kodi Indian Channel if you want to watch Indian content on Kodi.

So, if you are looking for a perfect live tv setup on Kodi, you are at a right place. Today, I am going to tell you some of the best live tv addons for Kodi.

Before you proceed further, there is an important message for Kodi user. Accessing content on Kodi is not legal in some countries and you may face legal notices for violating legal rules. To use Kodi anonymously, it is highly recommended to use IPVanish VPN. IPVanish VPN is Award Winning VPN under the category Best VPN by The T3 Awards. IPVanish VPN is built for Kodi and with IPVanish, you can use Kodi & other geographically restricted content without getting traced.

It is the best way to secure your internet connection. Grab the Best VPN of 2017 Here.

USTVNow

If you are looking for US based tv channels, this addon will work great for you. USTVNow is a subscription-based add-on for watching LIVE TV on Kodi. You would get 7 Free Channels which includes ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, PBS, Fox and My TV but if you want 29 more channels, you have to subscribe to the service. The subscription starts from $19 for first three months and after 3 months, it will have to renew it for $29 per month. To access the free channels of USTVNow, you have to signup on the website. There is a wide variety of content on the free channels on USTVNow which makes it on the top of the list.

Vdubt25

Vdubt25 is another basic addon for watching location-based LIVE TV on Kodi. You can switch to LIVE TV according to different countries like USA Sports, Canada Sports & TV, Russian LIVE TV, UK LIVE TV, Ireland LIVE TV etc. You can easily watch the hottest content of TV using this Addon. If you are a fan of TV Shows like Game of Thrones, Big Bang Theory, Prison Break, Arrow etc. this addon is for you. This live tv addon deserves a place in your Kodi live tv setup.

cCloud TV

cCloud TV is one of the must-have Kodi addons for watching LIVE TV. You will find a huge list of channels for watching them LIVE. Along with US-based and UK based channels, you would also find Indian channels, Middle East Channels, European Channels and other international channels. The addon is easy to navigate and easy to use. The only thing which lacks is that the list of channels is not organized and it will trouble you in finding your favorite channel. So, if you are someone who is looking for Kodi addons for Indian channel, Middle east channel and more, this is going to satisfy all your need.

See Also: How to Use Kodi on Roku

Pheonix

Pheonix is another Add-on that deserves a place in your Kodi LIVE TV setup. There are a whole lot of international Channels that you can enjoy on Kodi. The thing I notice that some of the channels were not playing as it said no Stream Available but by updating the Pheonix Addon, it gets fixed. So, if Pheonix is not working, make sure it is updated but if the problem still continues, try to re-install the Pheonix add-on.

See Also:Want to Install Kodi on Firestick?

To watch international LIVE TV channels, go to the Crusader88 category. It offers a wide range of international LIVE TV Channels including Indian channels, Russian Channels and more.

BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer is your one-stop for all the BBC content. It allows you to stream high-quality BBC content right on your Kodi device. BBC streams its content in utmost quality and you don’t need to sacrifice on the quality. You can get access to BBC News, Music, Podcast and much more. It streams from the BBC Website and you will rarely find any streaming issue in BBC iPlayer.

The only thing that becomes a hindrance is that most of the content on BBC iPlayer is available only to the resident of UK. If you are outside of UK, you can access it using VPN and set the location to the UK. IPVanish VPN works great when it comes to streaming content on Kodi.

Goodfellas 2.0

Goodfellas is another best LIVE TV Addon for Kodi. The stream is really smooth and also offers you a lot of US and Canada-based TV channels including ABC, Animal Planet, Bloomberg US, CBS, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, Fox, ESPN, Disney Channels, HBO and much much more. It is must have add-on Kodi live tv setup. You should not ignore it as it will satisfy all your need to watch LIVE TV on Kodi. Strongly Recommended Addon for watching LIVE TV on Kodi.

See Also: 8 Best Working and updated Kodi Builds

Covenant

In case you are not aware of Exodus, let me tell you that covenant is dead now and no more working. It is good if your Exodus addon is still working but if not working, Covenant is here for you. Covenant is better and stable alternative to Exodus. And the good thing about Covenant is that it has a lot of Indian Channels. Bollywood is a popular and international Movie industry and there are a lot of Kodi user even outside India who wanted to watch Indian Channels on Kodi, so for all those, Covenant is a great option. Along with Indian Channels, Covenant also has Hollywood movies and American TV Shows.

See this guide to install Covenant on Kodi.

Best LIVE TV Addons for Kodi

So these are the best add-ons for watching LIVE TV on Kodi. Using these add-ons, one can watch high-quality TV channels right on your Kodi device. It is really easy to use and you can stream your favorite TV Shows, Music, Movies and other TV content Anywhere & Anytime.

See Also: Kodi on Apple TV? Is it Possible?

There may be some add-ons which are not working because developers change the source of the stream and that’s why you have to update to a new source. Recently, Exodus Kodi was not working because the source fusion has been changed to other sources. If your Exodus is not working, update the source now.

Before you proceed further, there is an important message for Kodi user. Accessing content on Kodi is not legal in some countries and you may face legal notices for violating legal rules. To use Kodi anonymously, it is highly recommended to use IPVanish VPN. IPVanish VPN is Award Winning VPN under the category Best VPN of 2017 by The T3 Awards. IPVanish VPN is built for Kodi and with IPVanish, you can use Kodi & other geographically restricted content without getting traced.

It is the best way to secure your internet connection. Grab the Best VPN of 2017 Here

Indeed, these Kodi live tv add-ons will help you in cutting down your home entertainment expenses. All thanks to Developers of Kodi and these add-ons. These are few of the LIVE TV Kodi Addons and there are hundreds of other Kodi addons for watching movies, tv shows, News, Cartoons, Sports and much more on Kodi. Actually, we literally have a list of 100 Best addons for Kodi that you can add in your Kodi setup for perfect home entertainment.

Do you know any other Kodi Addon for Watching LIVE TV? Let me know in the comment section.

Thanks for this post. I learned a lot through it.

HomeInternet12 Best Kodi Skins You Should Give a Try in 2019

We use Kodi every day and sometimes the regular look of the setup makes it boring to look at. But the good thing is that Kodi allows you to change the entire appearance of Kodi using skins. By default, Kodi uses Estuary skin and frankly, it’s not that bad. However, if you want a more vibrant look with sleek animations and modern design, third-party skins are highly recommended. On top of that, these skins have some handy features like widgets, accessibility customization, accent picker, and even built-in Kodi addons, and repositories. Without a doubt, skins are quite helpful and can make your Kodi setup look visually appealing. To make things easier for you, in this article, I have sorted the 12 best Kodi skins which you can install on Kodi. So without further delay, let’s get started with the installation process first and then move to the best Kodi skins section.

Best Kodi Skins You Should Use in 2019

Before we get to our list, let us first see how you can install the Kodi skins that you discover on this list.

How to Install Kodi Skins

There are two ways to install Kodi skin. One is through the official Kodi repository where you don’t need to download separate files. And the other is installation using a ZIP file. I will mention both the methods below so you can choose accordingly.

1. Install Kodi Skin from the Official Repository

• Open Kodi and switch to the “Add-ons” tab. Here, click on “Search” and enter the name of the skin.

• Next, open the skin of your choice and install it.

• After the installation, it will prompt you to change the skin. Click on “Yes” and you are done.

2. Install Kodi Skin From ZIP File

• Download the ZIP file from the link given below under every Kodi skin.

• After that, open Kodi and navigate to the “Add-ons” tab. Here, click on the “Install from ZIP file” menu.

• Locate the downloaded ZIP file on your device. Now, click on the “OK” button and the skin will be installed immediately.

• A prompt will appear asking to change the skin. Click on “Yes” and you are all set to enjoy the new skin.

Our List of the Best Kodi Skins

Here, I have listed out the 12 best Kodi skins which you can use on Kodi to make your setup visually appealing. All these skins work perfectly fine on Leia, the latest version of Kodi. So don’t worry about compatibility and other issues. Having said that, let’s go through the best Kodi skins one by one.

1. Aura

Aura is one of the best Kodi skins right now, both in terms of look and performance. It’s a highly customizable skin with support for widgets and tons of other visual tools. Despite being a heavy skin, the performance is top notch and I found no lag whatsoever while navigating through the interface. Besides this, I love Aura because of its consistent design and clean user interface across the UI. The rounded edges and swift animation gives a modern touch to Kodi. Also, it’s the latest skin to have full support for the latest Leia build. If you are on the latest Kodi build and looking for the most stable and customizable skin, you are going to love Aura to bits.

Install Aura from the Official Kodi Repository or from ZIP file (Free)

Author: jurialmunkey

2. Titan Bingie

Titan Bingie is a new Kodi skin, making a huge noise in the Kodi world. The reason is its Netflix like user interface which truly looks stunning with interesting artwork and movie information. It even lets you customize the home screen, similar to Netflix with a spotlight, pop-up window, and trailer autoplay. Titan Bingie is based on the popular Titan skin so be assured that you will get good performance. It also provides a recommendation on the home screen which is absolutely amazing. If you want to explore Kodi in a new way, I would strongly recommend Titan Bingie. It’s just amazing to use and look at. As far as best Kodi skins go, this is at the top.

Install Titan Bingue from ZIP file (Free)

Author: cartman.dos

3. Aeon Nox: SiLVO

Aeon Nox: SiLVO is the redesigned skin of the hugely popular skin, Aeon Nox. The developer behind this skin, SiLVO has brought some major new changes to make it look modern and clean. In my experience, the skin was quite consistent with the performance. In terms of look, it has a handy search bar, weather widget, and various sub-menus on the home screen. It has that distinct Aeon look from earlier days and I think you are going to love that classic look. Aeon Nox always ranked among the top Kodi skins and still, the redesigned version is pretty damn good.

Install Aeon Nox: SiLVO from the Official Kodi Repository or from ZIP file (Free)

Author: SiLVO

4. Eminence 2 Mod

Eminence was quite a popular Kodi skin back in the day when the original developer jurialmunkey maintained it. However, Eminence skin was abandoned after a few years, but by that time it had garnered a lot of loyal audiences. At present, a Kodi user named Alanon has stepped in and modified the original Eminence skin to work with the Leia build. At the outset, Eminence 2 Mod is quite similar to its original one and the performance is also pretty good. The vertical menus look great and the skin provides movie banners and synopsis for local media content. To conclude, it’s a great looking skin and you will love the distinct look of Eminence if you are coming from the default Estuary skin.

Install Eminence 2 Mod from ZIP file (Free)

Author: Alanon

5. Embuary

Embuary is a dedicated skin for Emby users who use Kodi as a client-media app. It looks very similar to the web UI of Emby, and if you want the same appearance in a standalone app, Kodi with Embuary skin can be a solid alternative. Users who don’t use Emby can also use this skin. It looks slick with modern design and Netflix-like interface. You get movie banners, synopsis, IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes rating on the dashboard of every media content. There is also support for on-screen lyrics while playing music on Kodi. All in all, it’s one of the best Kodi skins I have come across on Kodi.

Install Embuary from the Official Kodi Repository or from ZIP file (Free)

Author: sualfred

6. Arctic Zephyr 2

Arctic Zephyr 2 is a lightweight Kodi skin which looks elegant in its minimal design. The interface is pretty clean with menus and submenus in rounded UI. It looks somewhat similar to Aura skin because the developer jurialmunkey is the developer behind both the skin. While Aura and Arctic Zephyr look almost the same, there is a major difference in their performance. Aura is a heavy skin which is best if you have a powerful system running Kodi. However, if you are using Kodi on Raspberry Pi or low-end system then Arctic Zephyr is highly recommended. You get a clean home screen with modern design and all the necessary features.

Install Arctic Zephyr 2 from ZIP file (Free)

Author: jurialmunkey

7. Titan

Titan is the oldest skin you can find on Kodi and it has been updated to the latest version year after year. It is one of the best skin you can find on Kodi both in terms of visuals and performance. To give you a sneak peek of Titan, it has all the media categories on the home screen and you can add or remove menus to your liking. You can add time and weather widget to the home dashboard as well. The Settings page and add-on browser are organized in a more cohesive manner so that you can find what you are looking for. Moreover, you get predictive searches while doing a global search and I find it really helpful. One thing to note is that it’s a pretty heavy skin so install it on a powerful device to enjoy all the perks of Titan.

Install Titan from ZIP file (Free)

Author: marduklev

8. Atlas

Along the lines of Titan, Atlas was also a hugely popular skin back in the day. And still, it is being updated to support the latest version of Kodi. Now the skin has been revamped completely and it looks modern with top menu bar and lightly themed design pattern. In the Settings page, it has a drop-down menu which many prefer over the categorized menu. Overall, I really liked the minimal home screen. It looks very similar to Amazon Prime Video UI with large banners of movies and slideshow of media content. The skin is really responsive like Aura and I like how optimized it is even on the low-end devices. So if you are looking for a minimalist skin other than Aura, you should definitely give Atlas a try.

Install Atlas from ZIP file (Free)

Author: Yoda92

9. Confluence

How To Install Kodi For Mac

There was a time when Confluence was the default skin of Kodi. It was simple to use, the library was upfront and accessible, there was support for widgets and overall provided a stable experience. Now Confluence has been replaced with Estuary as the default skin, but users still prefer the old look of Kodi. Also, the performance is pretty good even after all these years of development. Currently, an independent developer, Jezz_X is developing the skin for Leia. To sum up, it may look legacy, but hey it works pretty well and without any hang-ups or lag issues. If you are a long-time Kodi user, you should give Confluence a shot.

Install Confluence from the Official Kodi Repository or from ZIP file (Free)

Author: Jezz_X, Team Kodi

10. Mimic

Mimic is a pretty old Kodi skin but still, it has its own loyal user base. Generally, users like it for the no-nonsense experience on Kodi. Mimic is inspired by various skins like Aeon Nox and Arctic Zephyr. So you will find lots of UI elements from those skins into Mimic. The interface is largely uncluttered with libraries of movies, music and all your media content placed at the home screen. It looks somewhat identical to the current Kodi skin Estuary, as it also has a left-side menu and similar home screen setup. You can also choose the accent color for the entire UI and it looks really interesting. To conclude, if you want to a clean skin which is lightweight and performs pretty well then Mimic can be a great start. You should definitely check it out for a tried and tested experience on Kodi.

Install Mimic from the Official Kodi Repository or from ZIP file (Free)

Author: braz

11. Amber

Amber is a usual Kodi skin with ample customization option and overall good performance. It’s pretty lightweight so you can use this skin on any of your device running Kodi. The interface can be customized either horizontally or vertically, as you like. Also, you get large banners for media content, movie information, album artwork, and many other things. Amber looks and behaves very similar to Aeon Nox skin but without the performance load that comes with the Nox skin. It’s because Amber is completely bloatware free and doesn’t include any kind of services with it. So if you are looking for a skin with the Aeon Nox looks, but with different sets of customization option, Amber can serve you well.

Install Amber from the Official Kodi Repository or from ZIP file (Free)

Author: Jester, Joethepartylion, Pecinko, bsoriano

12. Andromeda

Andromeda is our final Kodi skin in this list. It’s pretty simple and lightweight with all the major features you would want in a skin. You have the top-bar menu with a slideshow of movies, music, and other media content on the home screen. Also, you can find video and image information of each media file at the top. Along with that, there is the IMDb integration within the skin which can help you in sorting your local library more efficiently. All in all, it does all the basics well and performs quite good. I didn’t face any lag or major stuttering issues. So if you are bored with the default Kodi skin, you can give Andromeda a chance. It can surely make an impression on you.

Install Andromeda from the Official Kodi Repository or from ZIP file (Free)

Best Kodi For Mac

Author: Tgx

SEE ALSO: 12 Best Kodi Builds You Should Check Out in 2019

Install The Best Kodi Skins and Enjoy the New Kodi Look

So that ends our list of best Kodi skins you can install right now on your device. As I mentioned earlier, all these skins have support for Leia, the latest version of Kodi so no worries there. I have also included both light and heavy skins so that you can choose the perfect skin according to your device capability. Moreover, Kodi skins make your Kodi setup look visually appealing so you should definitely go ahead and change it to whatever that suits your taste. And if I missed something or your favorite skin is not mentioned in this list, you can comment down below and let us know. We will definitely look into it.

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Best Proxy Server For Mac

1. Best Vpn Proxy Server For Mac

• Find out the best collection of top 25 free proxy sites in 2018 for Windows 8.1, 7, 10 and Mac OS X to access blocked websites. You can use proxy servers, sites or VPN for this purpose.
• Find out the best collection of top 25 free proxy sites in 2018 for Windows 8.1, 7, 10 and Mac OS X to access blocked websites. You can use proxy servers, sites or VPN for this purpose.

Best Vpn Proxy Server For Mac

You may still run the VPN on your Mac, then make every connection from your PS4 go through the VPN on your Mac by setting it up as a proxy server. In the simplest terms, every connection from the PS4 passes through your computer (with VPN running), bypassing IP restrictions. The largest difference between a VPN and a proxy is that a VPN routes your entire internet connection through the VPN server, not just your Bittorrent client. Many users find this useful because it means that their visits to torrent tracker sites like TPB will be anonymous too.

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

The Rundown

• Best Overall:NordVPN, 'Earns top marks in categories like server choice, speed, strength of privacy policy, and even price.'
• Best for Kodi: ExpressVPN, 'Super fast, easy to use, supports the peer to peer connections that are essential to so many Kodi apps.'
• Best for Torrenting: Cyberghost, 'You can rest assured that your identity won’t be exposed.'
• Best Free VPN:Windscribe, 'An excellent free VPN that offers a surprisingly high level of service.'
• Best for Android: TunnelBear, 'Well designed, easy to understand, and allows you to turn the VPN on and select a server with a few intuitive taps.'
• Best for Gaming: VyprVPN, 'Runs on a network of servers that are designed with speed in mind, which is rare among VPN services.'
• Best for Fire Stick: IPVanish, 'Allows you to connect up to 10 devices at once, which is a lot more than most of the competition.'
• Best for Privacy:Mullvad, 'Doesn't require users to provide an e-mail address or any identifying information.'

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: NordVPN

4.9

NordVPN is our pick for the best all-around VPN service, earning top marks in categories like server choice, speed, strength of privacy policy, and even price. They manage to offer a similar, or higher, level of service across the board while maintaining one of the most affordable multi-year subscription prices in the industry.

When you use NordVPN, you get to take your pick of over 5,000 servers located in more than 60 countries. Connection speeds are excellent, latency is acceptable, and the service supports up to six simultaneous connections. That means you can have NordVPN installed on multiple devices, and receive the same high-level protection on all of them.

Native apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and even devices like routers and smart TVs. That makes it a good choice if you have lots of devices, like a Windows computer, iPhone, and Fire Stick that all need protection.

NordVPN features a strict no-logging policy, so you can rest assured that your anonymity will remain secure.

Best for Kodi: ExpressVPN

4.8

ExpressVPN was a strong runner up for our top overall pick, and it definitely ticks all the right boxes to make a fantastic Kodi VPN. It’s super-fast, easy to use, supports the peer to peer connections that are essential to so many Kodi apps, and it has native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

While ExpressVPN is a little more expensive than most of the competition, it offers a comparatively high level of service. You get to choose from more than 3,000 different servers in over 150 locations across 94 countries and access the sort of high-speed connections that are necessary for streaming 4K ultra high definition content through Kodi.

If you need a good general VPN that works outside of Kodi, ExpressVPN has those bases covered as well. The service works for unblocking Netflix, offers a fantastic no-logging privacy policy, high-level encryption, a kill switch to protect your anonymity, and even accepts cryptocurrency like Bitcoin as payment.

Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best VPNs for Kodi.

Best for Torrenting: Cyberghost

4.2

Setting torrents up with a VPN can be complicated and confusing if you’ve never done it before, but Cyberghost makes it easy. The service provides native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Fire TV. Install the appropriate app, press the button to secure your torrents, and you can rest assured that your identity won’t be exposed.

While this service is as easy to use as they come, it also has a rock-solid privacy policy and a fantastic feature set. Cyberghost doesn’t log your activities while using the service, so there’s no way for anyone to find your real IP address, or your identity, through a torrent.

If you ever lose connection to the service, it includes a kill switch that will immediately cease all torrent activities and prevent exposing your identity. It also provides excellent data transfer speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and allows you to leverage extremely secure 256-bit AES encryption.

Cyberghost also works for unblocking streaming services, accessing blocked websites, and even playing region-locked games, so you aren’t limited to torrenting.

Best Free VPN: Windscribe

4.3

Free VPN services usually suffer from problems like slow data speeds, a lack of servers, and poor overall performance. In most cases, and for most types of use, you’re just better off paying for a VPN. If that isn’t an option, Windscribe is an excellent free VPN that offers a surprisingly high level of service.

When you sign up for a free Windscribe account and provide a valid e-mail address, you get access to 10GB worth of data per month. That isn’t enough to stream 4K video every day, but it’s a whole lot more than competing services offer.

Windscribe also allows you to connect to servers in 10 different countries, establish an unlimited number of connections each month, and enjoy surprisingly fast data transfer speeds.

The free version of Windscribe includes access to Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS apps, so you can use it on a wide range of different devices. It’s also compatible with VPN routers, but that feature isn’t available unless you pay for a subscription.

Best for Android: TunnelBear

3.9

There are a lot of great VPN services that include Android apps, but TunnelBear stands out due to how easy and straightforward it is. The TunnelBear Android app is well designed, easy to understand, and allows you to turn the VPN on and select a server with a few intuitive taps.

TunnelBear offers great speeds, has servers in over 20 countries, supports 256-bit encryption, and has a strict no-logging policy to protect your anonymity.

TunnelBear also includes a totally free version if you want to check out how it works on your Android device without paying for a subscription. The free version is limited, and only allows you to transfer 500MB of data each month, but it’s there if you need it.

In addition to the fantastic Android app, TunnelBear also works with Windows, macOS, iOS, and has browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. The service also allows you to use it on up to five devices at once, so you can easily run it on your computer and Android phone at the same time.

Best for Gaming: VyprVPN

4.3

Gaming on a VPN can be a challenge because connecting to the Internet through a VPN typically slows your connection and introduces latency. VyprVPN is an excellent VPN for gaming because it’s blazingly fast, and it keeps the latency increase to a minimum.

VyprVPN runs on a network of servers that are designed with speed in mind, which is rare among VPN services. They also have servers located in close physical proximity to major gaming servers for a lot of popular games, which can help cut down on latency.

If your internet service provider throttles your connection, or routes you through congested nodes, connecting through VyprVPN may actually increase your connection speed and decrease your ping to the game server that you’re trying to connect to.

In addition to being an excellent gaming VPN, VyprVPN is also great for streaming video and other uses that require fast download speeds. It includes native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, VPN routers, and even smart TVs, so you can use it for more than gaming.

Best for Fire Stick: IPVanish

4.5

IPVanish is the best option for Fire Stick users, with a native Fire TV app that you can install right on your device. The app is even available from the official Amazon app store, so you don’t need to go through a complicated sideloading process.

One of the best things about IPVanish is that it allows you to connect up to 10 devices at once, which is a lot more than most of the competition. That means if you have IPVanish installed on all of your Fire Sticks and Fire TV devices, you can run it on your computer or laptop, and even your phone, all at the same time.

This service includes access to more than 1,300 servers in over 75 countries, supports peer to peer connections, and provides speeds that are fast enough to stream high definition content.

In addition to the excellent Fire TV app, IPVanish also has native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

Best for Privacy: Mullvad

Privacy is one of the most important concerns when choosing a VPN, but Mullvad is on another level. This VPN features the same strict no-logging policy that all the best VPN services stick to, but they go even further by not requiring users to provide an e-mail address or any identifying information.

When you create a Mullvad account, you are assigned an account number. That number is the only thing that Mullvad has to identify you, as they don’t ask for your name, or even your e-mail address when you sign up.

Mullvad even accepts multiple cryptocurrencies as payment options, so they can’t even track or keep a record of your identity through billing information. In the event that anyone ever went to Mullvad and asked for records on your internet activities, they simply wouldn’t be able to provide anything relevant.

Mullvad is a highly competent VPN service outside of their excellent privacy measures, with decent connection speeds, a wide variety of servers to choose from, and an affordable monthly billing plan. You can pay for VyprVPN with a credit card, PayPal, or Alipay.

Our writers spent 8 hours researching the most popular VPN service providers on the market. Before making their final recommendations, they considered 30 different VPN service providers overall, screened options from 30 different brands and manufacturers, and tested 5 of the VPN service providers themselves. All of this research adds up to recommendations you can trust.

Best Place For Mac Memory

1. Free Up Memory On Mac
2. Best Place For Mac N Cheese

Active8 years, 4 months ago

What reputable stores exist for purchasing RAM for a Mac?

bmike

• Buy memory & SSD upgrades designed for your Mac laptop or desktop. Find the right part with our compatibility tool, backed by our 45-day guarantee.
• I just ordered a new Mac Pro 8-core. It comes with 2GB (2X1's) and I want to add at least 4GB more. Where is the best place to buy compatible ram inexpensively?

♦

Shop for mac memory at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. This week's best deals, all in one place. Deal of the Day. Member Offers. Mini & Mac Pro. All Desktops. Memory Cards. Hard Drives, SSD & Storage.

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wajiwwajiw

4 Answers

Personally I go with OWC. They are more famous for all Mac related upgrades. Here is the memory upgrade link http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/

Main advantage is you can choose RAM based on your model/ make of the year etc...

garikapatigarikapati

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Macs and PCs use the same type of RAM just like they use the same type of Hard Drives, if you buy RAM directly from Apple it is definitely marked up. I have personally had good experiences with Kingston. Other popular 3rd party suppliers are New Egg, Tiger Direct, and Crucial.

Ryan SharpRyan Sharp

Once you figure out what brand(s) of memory you're looking for, the place to start shopping is DealRAM.com.

You put in what computer you have, and it'll tell you what your options are and where to buy at the best price.

DoriDori

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I'm surprised no one has mentioned RamJet for Apple memory. Their prices are good, shipping is excellent and their web site is optimized for eliminating mistakes in ordering the incorrect memory.

I find their site to be the best reference on the web for rapidly finding the memory needs for any Mac bar none - even Apple's on-line documentation pales in comparison to RamJet for memory specifications or planning an upgrade.

They use pictures of the products and have very good descriptions to figure out exactly what mac you own. I've made perhaps 8 purchases from them and shipping, returns and customer support are top notch. I do regret buying from one of the 'cheapest' vendors linked above when the product they sold didn't work and they charged me incorrectly for the return / exchange. It eventually got sorted, but I'll never get back the time and effort to clear up their mistakes on that one order.

Do your homework on what happens if you need support down the road and know the time periods for returns / warranty / support if you care. I'm more value sensitive than price sensitive but RamJet is generally very competitive on price as well. I'd also put Crucial and OWC in the tried and true category, but I've never seen a time when their prices were lower enough for me to not spend my time and $$ with RamJet.

bmike♦bmike

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Free Up Memory On Mac

Best Place For Mac N Cheese

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Best 2017 Mac Portable Hard Drive For Movies

Are you running short of storage on your Mac and looking for the best hard drive? Mac OS is the powerful operating system in which everything from playing games, watching movies to all types official job is done effortlessly. So it is not strange that you might be short of memory at any time and will be in need of extra storage space. Apple has introduced so many external hard drives for MAC to expand the memory. The options are huge which can make anyone perplexed to decide what to get and what not. We are discussing here the best external hard drives for Mac along with their features and performance.

• Best Portable Drive For Mac

Ever since computers have hit the consumer market, they have taken the world by storm. Today they are present in almost every household all over the world. As the years passed and technology grew, computers got better and better. Eventually, new operating systems arose but only two prevailed, namely Windows and iOS. While the majority of the consumers opted for Windows desktop machines, the iOS or Mac users have steadily remained extremely loyal due to the exceptional quality and innovation presented by the latter. For decades, the battle between Windows users and Mac users have raged on and there doesn’t seem to be an end to their fight.

A Mac computer is very different from a Windows desktop because it is more surgical in its features and application. It provides features that greatly organizes and enhances the way one can experience working on a computer. Over the years, they have kept on innovating and bringing new features to better streamline a Mac user’s experience. Unlike a Windows desktop, however, you can’t customize the physical parts of a Mac machine. What you buy is what you end up with.

While in a Windows desktop you can increase storage space by simply adding an additional internal hard drive, you can’t do that with a Mac. Hence, if you need extra storage capacity, you need to get an external hard drive. At the beginning, the capacity of most external hard drives ranged from 120 GB to 250 GB but today the basic ones start with 1 TB at least. Mac and Windows also use different file systems so you can’t just buy any device. Some external drives can be used on Mac but in others, you have to reformat them accordingly.

See also: Top 10 Tools For MAC

List of the best external hard drives for Mac

A portable hard drive can make it much easier to transfer your data from place to place. Not only is the Western Digital Elements 2TB Hard Drive fast, it also offers a hefty 2TB of storage, which. APrime 2TB USB-C to Micro-B External Portable Hard Disk Drive Build in WD Blue Inside for new MacBook 12” Retina, MacBook Pro with Touch Bar 2017/2018, iMac Pro 2018 (2TB). The technology of external hard drives and connection ports is constantly changing which is why we’ve taken a closer look at the best external hard drive for Mac of 2018. The great thing for Mac users is that external HDDs have never been cheaper and storage sizes have never been bigger. See it on Amazon. One of the Best Gaming External Hard Drives For Mac Silicon Power Armor A60. The Silicon Power Armor A60 is a rugged and portable external hard drive that comes with 3 TB storage capacity, military-grade shock-proof body, cable carry design, USB 3.0 and is compatible with Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim.

We have looked at some of the most affordable yet high value external hard drives in the market today for Mac and have come up with the below list.

One of the Best External Hard Drives for Mac

Western Digital My Passport 4TB

Western Digital My Passport comes with WD auto-backup software, password protection via hardware encryption, 4 TB capacity, and USB 3.0 / 2.0 compatible and in a variety of vibrant colors. As far as OS compatibility is concerned you can use the Western Digital My Passport for Man OSX, Windows 10, 8 and 7. The WD backup software allows you to automatically backup your personal files such as pictures, documents, videos and music according to a schedule set according to your specific needs. All you have to do is choose the time and frequency and the software will do the rest.

The built-in 256 bit AES hardware encryption that comes with the bundled software, allows you to keep your personal information and files private and secure. You can even add a “return-if-found” message and have it pop up as a password prompt if the hard drive ever gets lost. While there is no way to say if this feature is effective in the real world, it does provide a way for you to get it back if lost.

One thing that really sets this product apart from the rest is the unique ridged design. The body looks stylish and sleek as hell. It comes in both a standard finish as well as a metallic finish. We all love to customize our gadgets and My Passport does not disappoint us, as it comes in a variety of dazzling colors such as black, blue, white, black-gray, orange, red, white gold and yellow. It also only weighs about 8.6 ounces making it pretty light to carry around.

With 4 TB of storage capacity, you can store hundreds of movies, songs, thousands of pictures and other files easily for better portability. No matter where you go, you can now take all your favorite content with you and enjoy them by just plugging the device in. Moreover, you also get a 3-year limited warranty with this device making it one of the best options to buy if you are looking for an external hard drive for your Mac.

What makes it the best?

• Automatic backup through the software allows you to schedule the backup process according to the time and frequency you prefer.
• The design looks absolutely stunning with a combination of a smooth surface at the top and an aggressive looking ridge based design at the bottom.
• Comes in a variety of vibrant colors so that you can get the one that best matches your system or laptop.
• It comes at a very attractive price making it a great value product.
• It also comes with a limited 3-year warranty for added protection.

See it on Amazon

One of the Classiest Looking Hard Drives for Mac

G-Technology G-Drive Mobile 4 TB

The G-Technology G-Drive external hard drive comes with 4 TB storage capacity, USB-C compatible and USB-A cable and a USB 3 port. The design looks very traditional yet classy with a sweet metallic silver finish on the aluminum body. The case looks and feels durable ensuring safety for all the stored precious files in the device. The last thing you need is a flimsy external hard drive for all your personal file storage. The stylish, aluminum body goes exceptionally well with Mac computers due to their elegant but simple design. As far as visual compatibility is concerned, the G-Drive is one of the best looking ones out there on the market for Apple computers.

The G-Drive comes with both USB-C and USB-A cables for universal compatibility on Mac computers. The device supports Apple Time Machine as well as Apple File Vault, so you can back up your files more conveniently and faster than ever. The added layers of protection from passwords and encryption also provide more security for your precious stored data.

It is really lightweight at 8.2 ounces with dimensions of 4.33 x 3.23 x 0.75 inches, making it a breeze to carry around. All in all, this is one great external hard drive to have if you want a device that matches the design of your Mac computer.

What makes it the best?

• The aluminum case not only looks exceptionally great with Mac computers but at the same time, it also helps to keep the hard drive cool under heavy usage.
• The design looks slim and stylish making it not only highly attractive but also very portable.
• The body looks and feels durable and can withstand a limited amount of force after falling down.
• It comes with a limited 3-year warranty for added protection and safety of your precious files.

See it on Amazon

One of the Best External Hard Drives from Samsung for Mac

Samsung T5 Portable SSD

The Samsung T5 Portable SSD comes with 500 / 1 TB / 2 TB GB storage capacity, an impressive write speed of 540 MB/s, metallic body, optional password protection and AES 256-bit hardware encryption, USB Type C to C and USB Type C to A cables and dimensions of 2.3 x 0.4 x 3 inches. The drive comes with a top to bottom metal design and a rounded unibody that will easily fit in your hand. You get to choose from a blue aluminum finish for the 250 GB / 500 GB version or a black finish for the 1 TB / 2 TB models. It also weighs only 2 ounces making it extremely lightweight.

What’s pretty awesome about the T5 portable SSD is that it comes with quite a sturdy metal body and can handle drops of up to 2 meters in height. This does not guarantee prevention of any damage but it does have a small buffer for protection. You also get to choose from an optional password protection option if you want. That level of protection along with the AES 256-bit hardware encryption will help you to keep all your files secure.

Since it is an SSD drive you get a higher read/write speed of 540 MB/s which is substantially faster than a traditional external hard drive. The T5 with Samsung V-NAND flash memory and a USB 3.1 gen 2 interface allow you to have a seamless and quick data transfer experience no matter where you are. All you need to do is plug it in and you’re good to go. With the added data read/write speed you can transfer 4k videos and high-resolution pictures in a matter of seconds. However, it is important to note that you get the maximum speed of 540 MB/s only if the host device and connection cables support USB 3.1 Gen 2 with the UASP mode enabled.

What makes it the best?

• The blue and black aluminum body looks simple yet stylish for better customization with your laptop or computer.
• The hard drive has a data read/write speed of 540 MB/s which is about 4.9x times the speed of a traditional 500 GB Samsung HDD.
• The shock-resistant metal build of the device allows it to handle drops from up to a maximum of 2 meters.
• It weighs less than 2 ounces, making it one of the most lightweight and smallest external hard drives in the market.

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One of the Best Value and Durable External Hard Drives for Mac

ADATA HD710A

The ADATA HD710A comes with a waterproof/ dustproof/ shock-resistant body, 2 TB storage capacity, USB 3.1 port and a groove for keeping the cable. Your external hard drive is a precious device where people keep their most private and useful files. It is extremely important that it is very durable as you don’t want to lose all your data from a single accident. It weighs about 7.8 ounces, which is a little more than some of its competitors, but considering the extra durability you get, it’s a very insignificant price to pay.

The ADATA HD710A is unique from the rest, as it comes with a waterproof, dustproof and shock resistant body that have military grade toughness that can absorb the damage from falls up to 1.5m. It is designed for people who want a rugged and robust device that won’t just break from a small fall. After all, accidents do happen sometimes no matter how careful you are. The device looks stunning with a variety of color options and aggressive ridge designs on the sides. You can choose from a red, blue, black or yellow case according to your personal tastes. The body is treated with triple layers of silicone and plastic to give it extra durability and grip.

The manufacturer has also claimed to have done waterproofing tests by submerging it in 2 meters of water for 60 minutes with the USB port firmly closed which is pretty impressive. The device also comes with G shock vibration technology that instantly stops all activities when it senses a shock. You also get a really cool feature with the groove on the side where you can neatly keep your cable attached when you don’t want to use it. All in all, the ADATA HD710A is an amazing, durable external hard drive for your Mac, which will safely and securely protect your precious data.

What makes it the best?

• It has an incredibly durable body that is waterproof, dust proof and shock resistant to properly secure your important data.
• You can choose from different storage options such as 1 TB, 2 TB, 3 TB and 4 TB for Windows, but only 2 TB is available for Mac.
• It comes with a triple-layered protection for its body to add extra durability and comes in a variety of colorful options.
• You also get a convenient groove for keeping your cable neatly attached to the device when you are not using it.

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One of the Best Gaming External Hard Drives For Mac

Silicon Power Armor A60

The Silicon Power Armor A60 is a rugged and portable external hard drive that comes with 3 TB storage capacity, military-grade shock-proof body, cable carry design, USB 3.0 and is compatible with Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim. It’s the ultimate external hard drive for your gaming needs. Mac may not be the premier platform on which games are played, but this device is perfect if you own both a Mac and a gaming console. It also weighs only 0.7 pounds making it extremely lightweight to carry around.

The Armor A60 allows you to free up storage space in your consoles and save up to 50 plus Xbox or PS games with the average game size being 35 GB to 50 GB. The hard drive comes with a rugged rubber casing and an internal suspension system that will safeguard your data from crashes and accidental drops. The textured surface not only helps against drops but also to provide an exceptional grip that will prevent the device from slipping. You also don’t have to worry about leaving ugly fingerprints on your hard drive. It is also water resistant offering complete protection from water spraying.

With the USB 3.0 (USB 3.1 Gen 1), you can experience incredible read/write speeds to transfer files quickly and with ease. The 3 TB storage space really helps you save lots of data too from your Mac. The Armor A60 comes preformatted with FAT32, but when you are transferring a single file (larger than 4 GB); you need to reformat it to exFAT. However, you need to back up your drive before doing that.

What makes it the best?

• It comes with a textured rubber cased body that can absorb damage from accidental drops and offer great grip.
• It comes with a cable carry design that allows you to neatly manage your cable.
• The body is also made up of military grade, shockproof and water resistant material for incredible durability.
• The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface allows you to transfer large files such as HD videos, and high-resolution pictures insanely quick.

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One of the Best Feature Filled External Hard Drives for Mac

LaCie Rugged Mini 1 TB

The LaCie Rugged Mini comes with 1 TB storage capacity, USB 3.0 / USB 2.0, shock, rain and pressure resistant body, built-in password protection and a 1-month complimentary Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Design wise, the LaCie Rugged Mini is perhaps one of the cuter looking external hard drives on the market today. It looks like a traditional rounded rectangular external hard drive with a puffy life jacket on it. Weighing at 0.5 lbs. and with dimensions of 3.5 x 0.98 x 5.5 inches, it is one of the smallest hard drives available for purchase.

The rugged rubber case makes the drive shock and drop resistant, as well as rain and pressure resistant which is a great aspect of this device. According to the manufacturer, you can run it over with a 1-ton car and it still will work. Although it wouldn’t be wise to test such a scenario, it does speak volumes about how confident they are about their product. The rain-resistant nature of this device is a really important part because it is something that most of us may have to deal with a lot. Sometimes you go out thinking it won’t rain only to find out later that you were very wrong.

The LaCie Rugged Mini is also one of the smallest devices in the rugged family making it very compact and easy to travel with. As far as usability goes, it comes with backward compatibility with USB 2.0 allowing you to use it on different machines. You also get a 1-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud, giving you access to all their apps. This will allow you to create some amazing content for film, TV or web and share them with the world. Once the 1 month period is over, you can choose to retain the membership by subscribing to your preferred plan.

Feature-wise, the LaCie Rugged Mini comes with automatic backup so that you can set the schedule for backing up your precious data. You can also protect your data by using the inbuilt password protection software. So it provides you external security from its rugged and durable case while providing internal security through the Lacie Private-Public software program. All in all, this is a great product to have if you are looking for a compact but highly durable external hard drive for your Mac.

What makes it the best?

• The rubber case along with the highly durable case allows you to protect your data from rain and accidental drops (up to 1.2m).
• It looks absolutely gorgeous and very different from all the other devices on the market.
• With the LaCie Private-Public software, you can protect your sensitive files from being accessed by unwanted intruders.
• It is also incredibly affordable at a great price considering all the excellent features you get.

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Other models worth buying

Hard Drive With Best Security

Time capsule

If you are planning to get the best external hard drive for MAC, Time Capsule is the most reliable, and it comes with 3TB and 2TB storage space. Those who are in need of more MAC hard drive can consider having the 3TB one. Packed with so many interesting features, this Time Capsule is not comparable with any other storage devices. With high-speed wireless connectivity of dual-band 802.11ac wi-fi, this hard drive can make many things done in just 1 minute. The high connectivity allows the users to connect with all types of Apple products and almost 50 users can use it simultaneously. Also, when it comes to security, Time Capsule is the best of all.

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Best Cheap Hard Drive For Mac

Seagate Backup Plus SLIM

If you are looking for MAC external hard drive that is portable and very light in weight, Backup Plus Slim is among the best. It comes in 9.6 mm thickness and weighs about 150 gm. This storage solution is available in 3 options: 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB so you can get the one according to your storage needs. But the sizes and weight are the same for all the versions. The dashboard is the software that is packed with this storage device. This Dashboard is used for downloading photos from various websites. Also, if you need to have additional copies of the downloaded photos, Backup Plus SLIM is the perfect option for that as a backup is very easy on this hard drive.

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Best Performing External Hard Drive

Passport Pro

This is the best option for all those who require the drive to be portable. It comes with 500GB and 1TB storage, but it is also available in other storage options. Thunderbolt port is responsible for faster performance. RAID 0 and RAID 1 are other features supported by it to provide maximum performance and greater backup of all files.

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Best Sturdy External Hard Drive

G-Tech G-Drive ev ATC

This hard drive has a powerful design. What made us put it on our list is its superb resiliency. The ATC which stands for ‘All Terrain Case’. It can withstand half a ton in pressure and can survive a fall from two meters. The water and dust resistant case can also be dunked in water for 30 seconds without the hard drive giving in. In fact with the case on, the hard drive will simply float back up to the surface. It has 1TB of storage and a USB 3.0. If you buy it from the Apple Store, it comes with the Thunderbolt interface so that it can be used with the Macs, but if you intend to buy this online, you will get the ordinary USB 3.0 version.

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Best Cheap And Robust External Hard Drive For Mac

ioSafe Solo G3

Best Portable Drive For Mac

The G3 is one of the heaviest hard drives that I have come across. It comes with layers and layers of protection to ensure that the hard drive can survive extreme conditions without any problems. When I say extreme conditions I am talking about surviving up to 1550 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes and being submerged in up to 10 feet water for 3 days.

The Solo G3 is a quiet strong device so you will not have to deal with a lot of noise or humming in the background while using this hard drive. But where the company has spent a lot on protecting the hard drive from external damage, there isn’t much that has been done to protect it from internal failure. Meaning, if the Solo G3 fails because of mechanical defects or general wear and tear then there isn’t much that you may be able to do about the data that is lost.

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The Bottom Line

In the above list, you can see a wide variety of options available to you as a consumer in the external hard drive market today. Choosing the right hard drive for your Mac requires a number of different key aspects such as ease of use, affordability, durability and functionality. One of the most important factors when looking for an external hard drive for a Mac is durability. Your hard drive is a place where you store all your important data and you do not want it to get wiped away just because it fell down once.

There are a lot of devices on the market today that comes with a low-quality case. Do not by any means purchase them. They might be very cheap, but it won’t be worth it when you lose all your important data in the blink of an eye. Get one that is dust, water and shockproof to ensure the longevity of your device. They won’t be able to protect your data from a two storey fall but they can sufficiently save your files in cases of small drops. Most of the durable ones offer protection for drops up to 1.2 m.

The next crucial factor you need to look for is functionality which includes features. It would be wiser to go for an external hard drive that has password protection so you can get both external as well as internal security for your files. Last but not the least is the cost of the device. Some offer tons of cool features but are expensive whereas others offer fewer features for a lower cost. With a little bit of research online, you can find the right storage device for you in no time at all.

Best Wrist Rest For Mac Keyboard

Gimars Office Keyboard Wrist Support for Typing, Computer Mouse Wrist Pad for Rest, Ergonomic Memory Foam Mat Set Add To Cart There is a problem adding to cart. Best Design: Kensington Duo Gel Keyboard Wrist Rest Buy on Amazon Buy on Officedepot.com Kensington, a company that makes a variety of accessories for computers and smartphones alike, also offers what might be the best-looking wrist rest on the market.

• Best Wrist Rest For Gaming

1. Search results. 33-48 of 255 results for 'wrist rest for mac keyboard' 'wrist rest for mac keyboard'.
2. Apple® Mice & Trackpads (8) Mouse Pads & Wrist Rests (8) Brand. Provides your optical or standard mouse the best mouse surface tracking technology available. Non-skid backing. Black keyboard wrist rest has sleek profile that uses minimal desk space as well as is easy to pick up and move around.

BestErgonomic Keyboards for Wrist WellnessWindows Central2019

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) can occur from prolonged PC use when the wrist is not adequately supported. It can affect some users who don't take advantage of wrist rests and solutions that create more comfortable typing experiences. Here are some options for wrist wellness.

Surface ergonomics: Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard

The Surface Ergonomic Keyboard by Microsoft is an expensive option, but that's for good reason. Microsoft has been making these types of keyboards for years and is one of few companies that seems to attract those who only use ergonomic peripherals.

$130 at Microsoft

Budget keyboard: Logitech K350 Keyboard

Best Wrist Rest For Gaming

The K350 from Logitech is an ergonomic wireless keyboard that doesn't offer such prominent separation of the two sides as seen in Microsoft's Surface keyboard above, but it does have the layout slanted to help guide hands to a comfortable position. There's also a cushioned palm rest.

$34 at Amazon

Gorgeous design: Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard

Microsoft means business when it comes to spending eight hours per day at the office in front of a PC. This Sculpt keyboard is specifically designed for your wrists to be in a natural, relaxed position and it has all the features you'll need to protect yourself against RSI. It also looks flashy and expensive.

$67 at Amazon

Customizable: Kinesis Freestyle2 Keyboard

The Freestyle2 by Kinesis is available for both PC and Mac. What makes this particular keyboard unique is the fact that it has been sliced down the middle. This allows owners of the keyboard to adjust just how aggressive the angles are, since not every PC user is the same.

$90 at Amazon

More keyboards are available than before that offer ergonomic features or even allow you to adjust how keys are positioned. Should your wrists feel cramped or strained after a week in the office, it may be time to invest in one of the options we suggest. If we were to choose one as the best keyboard, it would be the Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard.

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Take control

These are the 5 best Xbox One media remotes

If you use the Xbox One to control most of the media in your home, you are well aware of how clunky the standard gaming controller can be when trying to command other systems. Looking for a better solution? We have you covered.

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Best Music Recording Software For Mac

1. Best Music Recording Software For Mac

The best DAWs 2018: the best music production software for PC and Mac. Reason was combined with Record, Propellerhead’s short-lived audio recording software. How can the answer be improved? Looking for the best Mac music-production software? We compare the best alternatives to Apple's free music-making app GarageBand. You can record up to 255 tracks in total for each composition. Samplitude Music Studio is a Music Recording Software which comes with direct multi-track recording, high-quality studio effects, collection of virtual instruments and much more. Other features include audio file exporting, sound recording, mastering, and mixing.

Order Acoustica Mixcraft 6 Home Studio Edition HERE for the cheapest price available:

Acoustica Mixcraft 6 Home Studio Edition: http://amzn.to/1yt2KcW

Hey guys, ODi Productions here with a recommendation article on what I believe are the best music recording software for beginners on both Mac and PC. If you watched my video on “How To Record Vocals at Home in 3 Easy Steps”, then you know that music software is the last part of a recording setup. In this article, I’m going to recommend 2 different programs that are perfect for amateur rappers and singers who are looking to start recording their own vocals at home. I’ll start off with my recommendation for Mac users, since I believe that this is the best music software for beginners overall.

Best Music Recording Software for Mac: Apple GarageBand (Free)

Best Music Recording Software for Mac is Apple GarageBand

For Mac users, the best music software for beginners is easily Apple’s GarageBand, which comes free with every Mac. No other music program really comes close to GarageBand in terms of user interface and simplicity. But don’t let GarageBand’s price-tag or simple looks fool you. When it comes to strictly recording vocals or instruments, this free program almost rivals its big brother, Apple’s Logic Pro ($199.99).

In GarageBand, recording and editing audio is extremely simple, not to mention it comes with a lot of high-quality effects and plugins that can really improve your sound.

Some of GarageBand's high-quality effects and plugins.

And if you don’t know how to use any of these plugins, GarageBand comes with factory presets that you can just slap onto your recordings to instantly improve your vocals or instruments. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

GarageBand comes with many factory presets for vocals and instruments.

(Of course, if you want a truly professional sound, you’re going to need some mixing and mastering by an audio engineer. But you can always record your vocals in GarageBand, and then just send your unedited recordings to the audio engineer.)

For Mac users, the beauty of GarageBand is that you probably already have it, so go ahead and start using it! Now that brings me to my recommendation for PC users…

Best Music Recording Software for PC: Acoustica Mixcraft 6 Home Studio ($49.99)

Best Music Recording Software For Mac

Best Music Recording Software for PC is Acoustica Mixcraft 6 Home Studio

The reason I chose Acoustica Mixcraft for the best music recording software for PC is because it is the closest thing to Apple’s GarageBand right now. Mixcraft has a pretty simple interface, although not as pretty as GarageBand, it still gets the job done for basic recording. Also, at a price-tag of $49.99 for the Home Studio edition, Mixcraft is one of the most affordable choices for PC music software on the market right now.

Mixcraft's interface is not as pretty as GarageBand's, but it gets the job done. (Source: acoustica.com)

Similar to GarageBand, Acoustica Mixcraft comes with a variety of good-quality effects and plugins that can really help improve your recordings if you learn how to use them.

A list of some of Acoustica Mixcraft 6's factory plugins. (Source: acoustica.com)

Luckily, Mixcraft also comes with some factory presets to choose from, but I personally believe GarageBand’s presets and plugins are much higher quality for vocals.

Mixcraft also comes with factory presets, although not as good as GarageBand's (Source: acoustica.com)

Either way, you can always record your vocals in Mixcraft, before sending them to an audio engineer for mixing and mastering.

Buy Acoustica Mixcraft Here

Acoustica Mixcraft 6 Home Studio Edition: http://amzn.to/1yt2KcW

That wraps everything up for thisarticle! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to help you out.

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