Boring but useful utility apps for macOS

MirrorProfiles

MirrorProfiles

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A Better Finder Rename - Batch renaming app, makes it very easy to process a lot of files.

Alfred - a bit like Spotlight search, but can go way deeper and is more useful.

Backblaze - Automatic cloud backups. Great for current projects and active sessions. I'd still recommend having (at least) a local backup of the system drive though.

DaisyDisk - quickly see what is taking up space on your HD

Duplicarius - find and remove duplicate files

MacUpdater - scans your computer and will show which apps have updates available. Often it can update from directly within the app, but if not, it can launch the updater software you need, or it'll take you to the download page of the product. Very cool one.
 
2dor said:
So how do you like yours so far?
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The computer itself? Yeah it's working well, I honestly didn't notice my old computer holding me back (performance wise) at all so I notice this one even less in that regard.

Main things have been STL Libra and Lexicon PCM bundle both not having Apple Silicon versions available. Both will work in Rosetta but IMO they should have native versions available by now. Lexicon supposedly have an update on the way. STL haven't said anything about Libra but I'd imagine its not going to get updated.
 
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  • AdGuard - This is the ad blocker I use across all my devices. You can try to find "family" licenses cheaper which allow you to use it on many devices.
  • 1Password - The password manager I use. I know MacOS now has its own, but it's not cross-platform or anywhere near as full-featured. I've been using this for years for both work and personal use, it's great.
  • SoundSource - Per app volume control, ability to add EQ or VST plugins on your system output. I use this for headphone correction.
  • BetterTouchTool - There's a lot you can do to customize your mouse and trackpad, keyboard shortcuts and more.
  • BetterDisplay - For external display control and management. Because MacOS external display handling is a complete piece of shit, this helps me avoid pulling my hair out every time my computer comes out of sleep.
  • Dockdoor - Windows style previews for open windows in the dock.
  • Sidebar - Dock replacement if you want more features out of it. I almost never use the stock one so haven't tried this.
  • Homebrew - Command line tool for installing all kinds of stuff easily. Very useful if you e.g want to install a bunch of apps when setting up a new Mac.
  • noTunes - Prevents iTunes/Apple Music from opening when you connect Bluetooth headphones. Because of course that's not just a normal system option...
  • Sublime Text - Great code and text editor. I use it for writing e.g Markdown documentation, primarily use a full IDE for programming.
  • Gas Mask - Tool for /etc/hosts file management. I use it to have presets for e.g a client project's local dev addresses.
  • IR Capture - Tool for making IRs.
  • RTL Utility - Tool for measuring your audio interface round-trip latency.
  • Mac Mouse Fix - This will make regular mice behave more like the Apple Trackpad with smooth scrolling etc.
  • NearDrop - This allows Google Nearby Share/Samsung Quick Share to be used to send files to Macs. I use it all the time to send pics from my phone.
  • SyncThing - Easy file transfers between computers, doesn't matter what OS they are running. It lets you make folders that get synced between devices running SyncThing.
  • The Unarchiver - Allows extracting a lot of different compressed file formats. Not that you see a lot more than Zips these days...
  • Window managers. I recommend trying all of these and figuring out which has the features that suit you.
    • Lasso - This is what I use atm. It could use more features and development, but I like how it works. I have it set to a one button shortcut to resize/move a window to a template position/size.
    • Moom
    • Rectangle / Rectangle Pro - Rectangle is free, paid Pro version offers more features.
    • 1Piece - For a free app this does a ton.
    • Aerospace - This is a very complex app that basically replaces MacOS window management with a different solution. I found it too complicated to configure and work with, but maybe someone else finds the magic.
    • Stay - This is different from the others as it's mainly meant to save and restore your window positions/sizes. Useful when MacOS fucks them up e.g waking from sleep.
 
laxu said:
RTL Utility - Tool for measuring your audio interface round-trip latency.
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Are there uses for this that i’m missing? Most uses I can think of are a sort of “one and done” things, like aligning ADAT interface timing to whatever it’s connected to, or for calculating HW insert delay for DAW’s that don’t have a ping feature. I’d imagine those wouldn’t be the most common uses around here, except for those recording drums or mixing with lots of outboard.
 
How the hell has nobody listed BeyondCompare?

BEYOND-MOTHERFUCKING-COMPARE.

It is literally beyond compare.

Best software ever invented.
 
I stuck with mac up until 2017 cause they had the 4 finger gesture for exposé that I'd use all day like a fidget spinner. now windows has 4 finger and 3 finger up/down/left/right custom gestures, and auto window resizing. I can fly through chrome tabs and file Explorer just flicking my wrist with nav shortcuts mapped to 3 or 4 finger gestures. post-steve mac next to Lenovo at best buy today is a sad sight for someone who remembers computer labs full of these things

1000200601.jpg
 
MirrorProfiles said:
Are there uses for this that i’m missing? Most uses I can think of are a sort of “one and done” things, like aligning ADAT interface timing to whatever it’s connected to, or for calculating HW insert delay for DAW’s that don’t have a ping feature. I’d imagine those wouldn’t be the most common uses around here, except for those recording drums or mixing with lots of outboard.
Click to expand...
No, I think it's more of a one and done app.
 
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