Step 1
Download and install "Audacity". You can find it here.
Step 2
Download MP3 codec "Lame 3.96.1". You can find this on the Audacity site.
Step 3
Find an MP3 you want to cut down and use as a ringtone.
Step 4
Load said MP3 into Audacity and edit it down to the ringtone you want. I would not recommend anything over 30 seconds (that is pushing it).
Step 5
Export edited ringtone as a .wav file.
Step 6
Open .wav file in Sound Recorder (Windows XP START > ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > ENTERTAINMENT > Sound Recorder), then FILE>PROPERTIES>CONVERT NOW. I use the PCM format at 22.050Khz 16bit Mono settings. Click OK>OK and save as "whatever.wav"
Step 7
Open this saved .wav in Audacity and export as .mp3 (A 20 second file is about 280 kB). If you need to bring it down consider short tones or a less robust format setting. Sound quality will suffer.
Step 8
Change the file extension from .mp3 to .mid. Ignore any error messages.
Step 9
You have to Email this to your phone from an email address that supports full file transfer and DOES NOT change formats or extensions. A list of email addresses for text messages can be found here.
Step 10
Once you receive the message, save it as a ringtone. Different phones have different ways of doing this. For more help, visit the Talk page.
Tips
- If you get an error, try using a shorter sound clip. The maximum file size is around 325 kB, around 30 seconds.
- Certain phones may have different methods for saving the ringtone. Most should have an option similar to "Save in My Sounds". From there you can turn it into a ringtone.
