The Complete Pexels Primer: Knowledge Essential for Graphic Designers and Marketers

There is a great way to make your messages more impactful that is free to use. Pexels is an online creative assets library that features high-resolution photos, including Pexels 4k, and an assortment of audio clips you can use in your creations.

The following are things you need to know about Pexels.com. It includes details on what Pexels is, important user information, and other hidden features of the website. Keep reading to find out more.

Part1: Is Pexels.com free to use?

Yes, Pexels.com is a free online library of stock photos that you can use for personal or commercial purposes with your creations. In addition, photographers submit their images to the platform to allow others to reuse them.

Pexels’ free download policy allows you to obtain images under the Pexels or Creative common licensing rules. In addition, both licenses allow you to use Pexels images and videos for personal and commercial purposes, provided you make alterations to the original.

According to the site’s founders, the following are the reasons why the site is free:

Its main source of revenue is selling advertisement slots to other paid-content databases.
You can also donate to the website’s operational costs with a single click. In addition, there is no limitation on how much and how often you can donate.
Most of the site’s contributors do so willingly to increase their brand exposure. For example, a verified user states that uploading his content to Pexels 4k and Pexels audio has resulted in an influx of high-paying customers.

So, what is the difference between paid and stock photo sites? Paid content databases such as Shutterstock and Deposit photos require you to create a user ID and subscribe to their service. Conversely, stock photo sites like Pexels.com feature free stock images and videos that you can use with minimal restrictions.

For example, the site allows you to use its content on YouTube for personal or commercial reasons, provided you make adjustments to the original asset, and you own the video. In addition, the site’s library features content that its contributors share willingly. As such, you can download content from these sites without creating an account or acknowledging the image owner.

Currently, you can access Pexels through your web browser or download the app on your Android or iOS device. In addition, you can also access the asset library through the Canva application following their merger. Furthermore, you can also download it as a plugin for different content creation software, including Photoshop, MS Office, and Google Slides.

Part2: What can Pexels provide you?

Now that you are aware of Pexels.com’s origin story and access methods, here is a rundown of what free access provides you.

1. 4K images for almost all topics

Pexels.com features a dedicated library of over 40,000 4k images from their contributors. You can access the library by typing 4k in the site’s search engine. In addition, the library is full of 4k images across various topics, including niche subjects such as Nebula and Abstract. Furthermore, the site’s search engine uses search tags to provide more accurate results. For example, by typing 4K Dark in the search engine, the site can narrow down your search to provide more relevant results.

2. Audio

You also get access to Pexels audio, a collection of over 8000 audio clips from the site’s numerous contributors. In addition, all of the Pexels audio’s content is completely free to use for all users. Currently, you can only access the database through your web browser and the iOS app.

3. Video

Another content category that your free access provides you is Pexels video. The database features a collection of over 2000 video clips you can use for your commercial or personal works. In addition, Pexels.com offers various editing tools to make alterations immediately. Furthermore, you also have templates for different content configurations, including social media and YouTube posts.

Part3: What’s Leaderboard and Challenges on Pexels.com?

The Pexels free download leaderboard is a list of the site’s top contributors within the past thirty days. The ranking is based on the number of views of photos and videos you submit within thirty days. For example, you earn the top spot if you receive the most views to your content, provided it is less than thirty days old. As such, each contributor has an equal chance of rising to the top, provided they put in the effort.

On the other hand, Pexels challenges are monthly competitions where contributors submit their best work to win different prizes. Typically, each challenge varies in the category, prizes, and content specifications. For example, the most recent challenge required contributors to upload images projecting friendship.

In addition, there is no limitation to the number of eligible uploads because challenge officials consider all of them. Finally, all images you submit for the Pexels challenge fall under the Pexels license, meaning they are free to use by the site’s visitors.

Part4: What are not allowed on Pexels?

Currently, all of the Pexels creative assets are under the Pexels license, a variation to the creative commons zero license other stock photo sites offer. Although you can access and download the site’s assets for free, there are some restrictions on your usage of them. Here is what Pexels.com’s free download license does not allow you to do with its assets.

1. It can’t be used in a political context

You cannot use Pexels free download videos, images, and audio clips in a political context. This is because some of the assets include identifiable people, and using their image may be seen as their endorsement of your political beliefs. In addition, the situation becomes worse if your ideology contains offensive material and messaging.

Furthermore, the Pexels license also bans using their creative assets to promote your personal brand, especially when they contain any identifiable imagery. By doing so, Pexels.com remains a free resource for people of all creeds, regardless of their political affiliations.

2. Resell the resources

Another thing you cannot do when using Pexels.com is to resell their photos and videos to other stock photograph platforms. Most users attribute this to the site’s owners wanting to maintain a fresher database than its competitors.

In addition, you can also consider the restriction as a way to prevent duplication of results on web searches and prevent the overuse of creative assets. As such, you cannot use their creative assets on items such as print media and physical goods, including T-shirts and mugs.

Part5: FAQs

Why should you create a Pexels account?

Pexels.com seeks to create a simple and fast medium for you to discover free photos and videos. It does so by providing a common platform where contributors can share their work with a greater audience. Here are some of the benefits of creating a Pexels.com account:

You can create collections for different projects, accessible on different dashboards.
Continuous free access to every creative asset you have ever downloaded. For example, you can access all images you have downloaded from Pexels 4K.
You also get a custom homepage that features your latest work and database favorites.
In addition, you will have access to the site’s community, which has helpful information for all users.

What are the rules for uploading videos on Pexels.com?

Here are the requirements for uploading videos on Pexels.com:

Your videos must be of resolution 1920 X 1080 and higher.
All videos should be free of explicit content such as nudity or violence.
Your videos should not feature any watermarks, branding, or borders.
The recording and scene transitions should be seamless.
The site does not permit the uploading of animations.

What are the image uploading requirements on Pexels.com?

Pexels free download accepts images in JPEG format only. In addition, your images must also meet the following conditions.

All photos need to be at least 4 megapixels and have a minimum resolution of 2592 X 1520 pixels.
Your images should not contain any explicit material. All photos with graphic nudity and violence are banned from the website.
Your photos should be well-oriented and should not include watermarks, text elements, or borders when uploading them to your pexelx.com account.

Does Pexels.com accept uploading of mobile photos?

Yes. Using the app, you can upload images from your smartphone’s internal storage directly to Pexels.com. In addition, other requirements must be met before your photo is approved. You can find out more from the upload guidelines on pexel.com.

What alterations can you make to use Pexels photos on your merchandise?

Pexels allows you to use its images for personal and commercial reasons if you alter them and make them your own. Some of the alterations the site recommends include:

Adding graphic elements to the images using Pexels.com’s editing tool.
Using part of the Pexels image in a greater project such as a collage or wallpaper.

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The Ultimate Guide: 8 Leading Music Creation Suites for Mac & Windows

8 Best Music Production Software for Mac and Windows

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Are you looking for the best music production software for Mac and Windows? To support your digital audio workstation, it is important for you to have the right music production software.

The DAW is like a blank canvas which is incomplete without the production software. You may have all the music materials, but how to create that amazing music? The music production software helps you create some of the best music tracks.

In this article, you will learn 8 best music production software for Mac and Windows.

Part 1: How to Choose the Best Music Production Software
Part 2: Best Music Production Software for Mac
Part 3: Best Music Production Software for Windows

Part 1: How to Choose the Best Music Production Software

You need to consider two things while choosing the best music production software-

Budget – Considering the budget is at the top of the list in the music equipment guides. It is a sort of an investment like your car, so you would definitely want to have something that is enduring and gives you value for money.

There are definitely many free music production software available, but it is always recommended to save a few hundred dollars and get something that you can stick with for a long-term.

Before opting for the paid versions of these music production software for Windows and Mac, it is always better to check the trial version of it and then, go ahead with the purchase only if you are satisfied.

Your Music Editing Experience – If you are just starting out with music production, then it is pointless to go mad with the DAW terms. You may find the Pro Tools difficult so the investment makes no sense. It is obvious to start with a tool that is easy to understand and easily comprehensible for audio editing .

The expert level software can make your learning task time consuming as well as daunting. If you are an experienced player, the Pro Tools might be tough to a certain extent but an ultimate investment for a long time.

Part 2: Best Music Production Software for Mac

1. Garageband

It is amazing music production software also suitable for the beginners. With a user-friendly interface that lets you visualize your creation with the use of the in-built percussion, synths, and keyboard. Editing your performance down to the note and decibel with music loops, music lessons, etc. the Garageband has it all to create some great music. The features of the software are-

Solid presets for vocal and guitar recording
Few amps and effects for the guitar or mic
Built-in lesson function for both piano as well as guitar
Chord mapping to better understand music theory
Supports USB keyboard and get some built-in loops
Interactive plug-in controls

2. Logic Pro X

If you are a Mac user, the Logic Pro X is advanced software to help with music creation with track consolidation, logic remote, smart controls, flex pitch, and more. It is a professional recording studio on Mac. The features of Logic Pro X are-

Intuitive mixer for plug-in control
Score Editor to create your own MIDI
Interactive drum set for visual implementation of drums
Natural sounding kits
Synths, plug-ins, and a great interface
Sound library and loop collection with out-of-the-box effects

3. Studio One 4 Prime

For any music producer using Mac, Studio One 4 Prime is the best music production software today. It is the advanced version of the flagship digital audio workstation Studio One. The features of Studio One Prime are-

Intuitive drag-and-drop functionality
Unlimited tracks
Nine robust Native Effects plug-ins
1GB of loop and sample content
Same powerful features from Studio One Artist and Professional
Operates on 64-bit OS only

Part 3: Best Music Production Software for Windows

4. Acid Pro 9

Acid Pro 9 is a full-fledged and one of the best music production software for Windows that comes with a sleek and refined interface. It is a loop-based music production and an ultimate one for all music creators. The features of Acid Pro 9 are-

Creative loop-based music production
Contain pitch, length and transient data
Can be edited and manipulated in real time
24-bit, 192kHz multitrack audio recording
Dedicated and fully-featured mixing console
Flexible routing
Control surface support

5. FL Studio 20

FL Studio is one of the most popular software to date. If you are starting out with your music-making journey, FL Studio 20 is one of the best names that you may consider. It is a comprehensive package for composing, arranging, recording, editing, mixing and mastering professional quality music. The features of the FL Studio 20 are-

Plug-and-Play integration
4 x 16 RGB pad matrix
Quick input patterns on the Step Sequencer
Live playing and recording of notes
Over 80 instrument and effect plugins covering automation
Professional mixer

6. Cubase

One of the most powerful music production software, Cubase has an unmatchable range of flexible tools. Now, create music intuitively and quickly with Cubase consisting of a wide range of virtual instruments, effects and thousands of sounds. The features of Cubase are-

Audio alignment tool for synchronizing stacked vocals
Easily match multiple tracks
Chore pads to compose music quickly
Fully integrated vocal editing

7. Audacity

A multitrack music production software, Audacity is one of the best for the Windows. It is free, cross-platform, and open source software that is easy to use and comes with a range of features. The feature includes-

Record live audio through a mixer, microphone, or digitize recordings from other sources
Import, edit and combine sound files
Export your recordings in many file formats
Supports 16-bit, 24-bit and 32-bit
Support for LADSPA, LV2, Nyquist, VST and Audio Unit effect plug-ins
Tracks and selections can be fully manipulated using the keyboard

Conclusion

Make use of the above-mentioned music production software for Mac and Windows in order to churn out high-quality music. It makes your task easier and of professional quality. Grab the one that suits your requirements and create great music.

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Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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