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Getting Started...
This document is a very high level
guide to creating your own, customized, MP3 ringtone. If you wish to learn
more about the actual software mentioned on this page, please consult the Help
located within the program. The following information is a mere "guide" to creating
your own MP3 ringtones for your cell phone.
In order to make your own MP3
ringtones, you only need to worry about three things. 1) Connecting your
phone to your computer. 2) Software to transfer you new ringtone to your
phone and 3) Editing your original MP3 to turn it into a ringtone. So,
lets get started...
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Data Cable or Bluetooth
Connection (some way to transfer the mp3 to your phone)
If you don't already have a way of connecting your phone to your computer,
a data cable can easily be purchased for relatively cheap at
everydaysource.com.
However, every time you get a new phone or if you have one phone and your
wife has a different one, you'll need two different data cables. I
highly recommend, if you're phone is equipped with Bluetooth capability
and your computer is not, then simply go to
everydaysource.com and purchase their
USB Bluetooth Dongle (as seen below). This adapter enables a short-range
(within a 10M), wireless connection between your computer/laptop and
a Bluetooth device. - Not sure if this works with Vista
or Mac's. Check the product specs for further details.
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File Transfer software
(Motorola Mobile Tools, Nokia PC Suite, ActiveSync, etc.)
In order to transfer the mp3 to your phone, there is usually software
available for free or purchase depending on the type of phone you have.
Here is a list of some of the programs I've found or used over the years.
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Audacity MP3 Editor (See
below for step by step directions for creating a
MP3 ringtone)
Assuming you already have an MP3 song you wish to convert into a ringtone,
you will need to edit it. The best software I've been able to find
has been Audacity. Audacity is freeware that allows you to completely
edit your favorite MP3 to whatever you want. It also includes the
ability to fade into the song and then fade out (fading in is great for
ringtones, this way it doesn't start out too loud), and you can also change
the bit rate to allow for smaller file sizes. Note: See below for
step by step directions for creating a MP3 ringtone
Once you've completed editing
your MP3 using Audacity, you will need to export it to the proper MP3 format.
However, Audacity requires you to have lame_enc.dll saved on your computer.
You will then be able to save
the modified MP3 on your computer. Be sure to save it with a short
file name otherwise you will not be able to transfer it to your cell phone.
You should also make sure you file size is less than 150kb (this can
be accomplished by lowering the bit rate or shortening the length of the
song). You're now ready to transfer the MP3 to your phone by whatever
means you choose (Bluetooth or USB Data Cable).
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OK, so now that you have everything
setup and ready to use, you're probably wondering how to REALLY make
your MP3 ringtone.
Initial (First Time Only)
Setup
After you
unzip and install
Audacity, you'll need to unzip the Lame encoder and configure it with Audacity.
You will ONLY need to do this the first time...
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Open Audacity
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Go to File >> Preferences
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Select the File Formats tab
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Change the Bit Rate (at the
bottom of the screen) to between 56 and 128
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Click on the "Find Library"
button
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Select Yes to the popup question
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Find the lame_enc.dll file (in
the destination folder where you installed the Lame encoder - MAKE SURE it
is unzipped) and select Open.
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Select OK on the Audacity Preferences
window.
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You are now ready to create your own ringtones ---
Creating MP3 Ringtones
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Open Audacity
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Go to File >> Open
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Find and Open the MP3 from your hard drive.
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Click the green triangle at the top of the screen to begin
playing the MP3. Click the red square to stop.
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Using the "Selection Tool" you now need
to begin highlighting the parts of the song you do NOT want. Select small
parts or large chunks at a time and select Edit >> Delete to remove those
parts. Repeat this step until all you have left is the exact portion
you want for your ringtone (between 20-30 seconds). Use the "Zoom
Tool" to zoom in on the sound waves to make a more precise cut.
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When you select the green Play button, it will only play the
portion you have selected, so you might need to click at the beginning of
the song if you want to listen to what you have so far.
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Once you have the exact length, it up to you if you want to
do any "extra" editing. I personally like using the "Fade In" effect
for the first 5 seconds of a song and the "Fade Out" effect for the last 5-10
seconds. This can be accomplished by highlighting the desired part of the
song and select Effects >> Fade In or Fade Out.
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When you're all done editing, select File >> Export As MP3
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Give it a SHORT (preferably one word) file name with NO special
characters (for example: & $ ' * # @ etc ).
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Click Save (be careful not to overwrite your original MP3
file).
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Leave the next window alone and press OK.
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It will begin exporting the song as an MP3 and save it to
your computer.
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NOTE: If the file size is too large, you can try reducing the
length of the song or you can reduce the bitrate by repeating steps 1-4 in
the Initial Setup instructions and then Export it
as an MP3 by repeating steps 8-12 above.
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You can
now use the file transfer software you have for your phone to transfer the
MP3 to your phone to be used as a ringtone!
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