Posted on December 6, 2006 at 4:45 PM in how-to
Note: The below is an archived entry from Earthling, formerly EarthLink's official blog. The blog itself has been decommissioned and is no longer updated, and comments are trackbacks are no longer accepted.
A while back when I tried out the Helio Media Mover and PC Sync software, I offered to write a how-to about adding your own rings to the Helio Kickflip. This weekend I noticed that it's a perenially popular topic on cellphone message board Howard Forums. The regulars over there got it all figured out, and I just want to write it up for you in a clear, step-by-step sorta way. It's a few months overdue now, but hopefully still helpful.
The essential components are:
- Your Kickflip, USB connection, and WIndows XP computer
- VKSync3000 from Helio.
- An MMF converter tool, like Media Audio Cutter (there are a bunch more to choose from here, but I used Media Audio Cutter for the how-to)
Read on for the instructions.
- Copy the audio file you want to use to your desktop. If it's with your iTunes library, find it in that folder and make a copy on your desktop.
- Install and run your MMF conversion tool. As a heads-up, Media Audio Cutter required me to install Windows .Net Framework 1.1, and will only work for 10 days as free software.
- Open your audio file from within your MMF conversion tool of choice. In Media Audio Cutter, click "Open Media".
- Excerpt the chunk you want to use. I made a 15-second file, which ended up with a file size of around 170k. You'll probably want to keep it fairly short, as long ringtones can annoy your friends.
- Save the file as an .MMF. I didn't touch the settings, chose "Save File as..." and selected MMF in the dropdown menu. Name the file something you'll be able to find and save it to your desktop.
- Open VKSync3000 and connect the Kickflip to your computer. Make sure the Kickflip is turned on. Choose the "Audio" button on the left. Find the file you just made on your computer. Select it, and hit "upload" in the top right corner. Disconnect your phone within VKSync3000 and remove the USB cable.
- On your Kickflip, choose Setup -> Sound -> Rings -> Bell Rings. This is where the file showed up for me. If you want that ring to be used for all calls, choose it here. Or if you want it used only for a certain contact, go to that contact's record, choose menu (left smart button) -> edit, and then scroll down to "Ring Type". Click right once for "freebies", then right again to "bell rings". Choose your ring file. Hit "OK".
- Be done.
Your mileage may vary, but hopefully it won't vary all that much. Any software you use to create a .MMF is third-party and not itself supported by Helio. If you want a custom ringtone to try uploading to your phone, let me know and I can send you something in .mmf that's copyright-friendly.
Comments
hey umm i tried that but when i get to the "save as MMF" it takes me to this convert thing that tells me something about using a PCM format? well in other words its not working...
but could u email me, and send me a song i want, its called "The Word 'Bestfriend' becomes redefined, by Chiodos.
Posted by blahblah | February 23, 2007 7:12 PM
Blahblah: I had that happen to me once recently, and then I closed the app and tried it again and it worked fine. I'm not sure what the explanation is, but I've emailed with the developers about an unrelated issue and they were quick to respond. Maybe you could get in touch with them directly. I won't make a ringtone out of a song whose rights I dont' own, but if you want me to send you something of my own just as a test I'm happy to do that.
Posted by Dave C. | February 26, 2007 2:16 PM
i have a siemens s66 cell phone and all i have to do to add a custom ringtone is use the voice recorder while playing music or any sound on tv stereo computer ipod etc and set recording as a ringtone for whichever group i want i dont understand why these expensive cell phones need to be hooked up to a computer and have special programs for such a simple task
Posted by r. morano | August 26, 2007 4:32 AM