SCH-A930 - Setting your own ringtones (using memory chip)

All the current threads I've read are out of date and no longer correct.

Some things:
1) Verizon has completely disabled sending of MP3s over to your phone via the [email protected] address. In-fact, the only sound-based data that it allows is a file in .qcp format. QCP is a Quallcom Voice format, and generally sucks in quality. (Actually, if you want to find a converter to this, you can still send your friends messages that start playing a sound when they open them, from the comfort of your home computer via email.)
2) You will need a memory chip in order to do this method, and probably a memory card reader or microSD to USB converter (can get them off ebay for 15$) so you can access your chip from your computer like you would a USB thumbdrive.

Now, first off, you need to create your actual MP3 - it *should* be under 300k in its final format & under 30 seconds (I usually export to 64kpbs bitrate, helps keep the file small), but I've done this method successfully with files much bigger and longer. You can use things like Audacity, with the LAME mp3 encoder codec, both for free to do this - actually I highly recommend this program since it's actually quite straightforward and easy to pick up and use. To make sure that LAME mp3 encoder is working, take a look at Edit -> Preferences -> File Formats, under the MP3 Export Setup options. Make sure LAME is set as the export codec.

If you're having problems using Audacity, try this: Just click and drag the section of sound you want to use. You can go into the Edit -> Trim option, and even select a section to do an automatic fade in from Effect -> Fade In. Pretty handy program. You could, technically, use Sound Recorder to do this in, but you will still need LAME to convert to .mp3.

After you're finishing setting up your mp3 and exporting it to a file in mp3 format, you need to fill in the ID3v2 tag for that mp3. Usually, this can be done using Winamp (easiest way since most people use Winamp). From Winamp, add the file to your winamp play list, and then right click on the file and select "File Info". Enable the ID3v2 tag (via the checkbox) and make sure to fill in all the fields. Save via Update button.

After that, you need to rename the file from .mp3 to .mid... Now, most window explorers are set up to actually hide known extension types - you will need to disable this (from Tools -> Folder Options in any windows explorer window) in order to correctly rename (or use a command prompt if nothing else). There will be a dialog box that comes up saying "If you change a file name extension, the file may become unusable. Are you sure you want to change it?" - just click Yes to that. Note that you MUST rename this file to .mid, NOT TO .mid.mp3 !!! (some tutorials on here get this point completely wrong!) The phone will NOT list any files that end in .mp3, PERIOD, so it must be in .mid... more on this in a sec...

Now, plug in your memory chip into your computer - Again, I actually use a simple microSD to USB converter that I picked up off e-bay for 15$. It's actually pretty handy - I use it to access my digital camera's card as well. At any rate, you will be able to access the chip like any other USB thumbdrive.

Throw your .mid file into the "my_sounds" directory of your card. If there is not already a directory named this, you can create one yourself. Oh, that is a case-sensitive name, btw. There might already be a few other folders, such as "MY_FLIX", "MY_MUSIC", "MY_PIX", etc. If you know how to get into the hidden MP3 player, you might also have a "MY_MP3S" folder.

After you drop your file, plug your chip back into your phone. On your phone, go into Menu -> Get It Now -> Get Tunes & Tones -> My Sounds... Now, this list is actually pulled from both your phone memory and card memory, but we need to move your file to phone memory. Find your file using up/down keys, and go into Options -> Move. The question asking "MOVE SOUND TO PHONE?" respond Yes to. Now the file is on your phone in its own memory, not on your card memory (note: I haven't actually tested to see if you truly need the file in phone memory, but I would not be surprised if you do have to have it that way - best bet is to do this step).

Even though the file is listed as a .mid, the phone scans the file itself and see's what "actual" file format it is. Keep in mind that the A-930 does NOT list mp3s (unless you go into the hidden mp3 player) but the A-930 does UNDERSTAND how to play mp3s. The file name extension is all the "My Sounds" list looks at - so hence why it needs to be named as a .mid and not as a .mp3 (.mid files are actually older MIDI files (to produce music, long ago before MP3, utilizing an on-board synthesizer)). However, once the A-930 tries reading the file, it knows it's actually a .mp3 file format, and still will play the song flawlessly.

Now, from Menu -> Settings & Tools -> Sounds Settings -> Call Sounds -> Call Ringtone -> My Sounds -> and now you should be able to select your file as your ringtone.

Viola! Try it out!

If you cant see it, either your file is too big, is using some akward mp3 encoding, is too long, or you did something wrong. I've tried this with a few various things, and I've had no problems.

Hope this helps!

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