Things You'll Need:
- MP3 song file ITunes music software USB mini cable (optional)
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Step 1
Choose the song that you would like to turn into an MP3 ringtone. All songs can be turned into ringtones, but some function as ringtones better than others. Choose a song that has a clear sound without too many background vocals or instruments. This ensures that your ringtone sounds crisp and clean when played through your cell phone speakers. Also, keep in mind how professional your ringtone will sound. For example, a ringtone of your favorite rap track may be fun, but it may embarrass you if it goes off in your office.
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Step 2
Open the iTunes music software. If you do not have it installed, you may download it for free from the Apple iTunes website (link in the Resources section). You will use a song from your iTunes MP3 library. If you don't use iTunes to manage your music, drag the MP3 file into iTunes to add it to the iTunes library.
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Step 3
Click "Preferences" in the top menu bar and select "General."
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Step 4
Click "Import Settings" under the "When You Insert a CD" heading.
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Step 5
Select "MP3 Encoder" from the drop-down menu listed under the "Import Using" heading.
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Step 6
Click OK and close the Preferences dialog box.
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Step 7
Double-click the song in iTunes that you wish to turn into an MP3 ringtone. Listen to the song and choose the 30-second section of the song that you wish to turn into a ringtone. You will need to write down the minutes and seconds of the portion of the song. For example, if you like the 30 seconds starting a minute and five seconds into the song, write down "1:05-1:35."
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Step 8
Right-click the song in iTunes and select "Get Info" from the pop-up menu.
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Step 9
Click on the "Options" tab. Click the checkbox next to "Start Time" and "Stop Time." In the Start Time box, enter the minute and second point where you wish to start the ringtone (e.g. "1:05"). Enter the minute and second point where you wish to end the ringtone in the Stop Time box (e.g. "1:35").
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Step 10
Click OK.
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Step 11
Right-click on the song again and select "Create MP3 Version" from the pop-up menu. The iTunes music software will now create a 30-second MP3 clip of the original song and add it to the iTunes library.
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Step 12
Drag the 30-second MP3 version of the song to your computer desktop by clicking and holding down on the file, and dragging it to your desktop screen.
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Step 13
Rename the file from "songname.mp3" to "songname.mp4" if you have an iPhone cell phone. Keep the .mp3 file suffix if you are using any other type of cell phone.
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Step 14
Transfer the ringtone file to your cell phone. You may use the mini USB cable (optional) provided with your cell phone. Connect the phone to your computer and drag the MP3 file to the disk image that appears in My Computer (on a Mac, it will show up on your desktop). Conversely, you may email the song file to your cell phone. Attach the song file to a blank email and send it to the email address provided by your cell phone service provider and noted in your manual (e.g. Verizon phones have a standard email address at "yournumber@vtext.com"). Your cell phone will recognize the song file as a ringtone and add it to the internal list of ringtones available for your use.
