How to: Use MP3 Trimmer to Make Ringtones on a Mac
I use MP3 Trimmer to create my ringtones for my Nokia N95 using a Mac. The latest phones now are capable of playing mp3’s as ringtones. While some people buy ringtones from websites or their carriers, I choose not to pay and do it myself. I’ll show you how to do it yourself using a pretty cool app called, MP3 Trimmer by deepNiner.
You can simply transfer an MP3 song to your phone and use it as a ringtone, but sometimes you don’t want the ringtone to start at the beginning. I personally use the chorus or the catchy part of a song. What I like about MP3 Trimmer is the ability to fine-tune when you want the ringtone to start or end frame by frame.
Open up iTunes and drag any song from your library to MP3 trimmer. It will now look something like this.
Press playback to hear the song and then press the Set button under the IN-point section during the part where you want the ringtone to begin. The song will keep playing, but notice that anything before the set point became darker.
Then press the Set button under the OUT-point during the part you want it the ringtone to end. The song now stops playing. I usually estimate about a minute after my starting point because the call would probably be in voicemail by this time.
Press the Try button under either the IN or OUT points to edit the points frame by frame. The minus (-) obviously moves back the point by one frame, while the plus (+) moves it forward. Press done when you are satisfied with the micro editing.
That’s it! Save the file, transfer it to your phone, and set it as your ringtone. Your friends will be amazed that you always have the latest ringtones when you pick up phone calls…
You can also try playing with the options like fade-ins and outs. I personally don’t use it, but give it a try if you like.
If you have a Mac and use something else for ringtones, let me know. I have probably used three other apps until I found MP3 Trimmer. I never looked back.
PJ on 11 August 2007:
I think I’ve heard of this one but never tried it out. Probably cause I used Quicktime Pro then when Garageband came out I use that now and convert to mp3 in iTunes. I like visually editing the songs which makes it quicker for me at least. I make them at around 30 seconds instead cause it’ll definitely hit voicemail by then and also takes up less space. I also convert it to 32 kbit/s to make it even smaller. What bitrate do you use? I might boost it up to 48 or 64 if it’s noticeably better when I get my Treo 755p. I know it’s not as great as your N95 of course but I need a Treo for medical apps plus I love my Sprint service.
Mark Guim on 11 August 2007:
@PJ I just click save and don’t convert the bitrate. It plays great on the N95. I haven’t used Garageband yet because it looks intimidating in my opinion. I just got iLife 08 so I’ll check it out again.
PJ on 11 August 2007:
You work with Final Cut Pro so you should be fine trying it out. There’s probably more steps the way I do it since I export to iTunes, convert to MP3 or AAC, and then delete the temporary GarageBand file and the aiff file that was exported to iTunes…lol. One thing I noticed though is that GarageBand seemed to put a 4-5 second dead space at the end of the track. The way I fixed that was to select the area of the song you want with the “cycle region” and then export and you’ll get that exact length. So basically there’s no need to actually edit and cut out a track. You’ll know what I mean once you start playing around with it. I can’t wait to play around with iLife ‘08 when I get back in a couple weeks.
NinongBrown on 12 August 2007:
what the hell is this crap?! two of my friends having technology talk behind my back?!!! whack!!! i wasnt invited…boo! just because i have an “inferior” N80
Omar on 12 August 2007:
N80 was alright, bit bulky but still alright
Mark Guim on 12 August 2007:
@PJ sounds like a lot of steps compared to MP3 Trimmer.
@Guian At least you have an N80.. PJ wants a Treo BOOOOOO.
PJ on 12 August 2007:
Har har har. Yeah I know I can’t compete with you guys.
lol
Pnut on 16 August 2007:
I found a program called “Audacity” for people that use PCs. Seems like a pretty simple program and quality comes out well on the HTC Mogul. Speaking from a non-MAC, non-nokia user.
Harriet on 5 September 2007:
Greetings from Florida! I came across your blog posting after searching for free ringtone and your post on o: Use MP3 Trimmer to Make Ringtones on a Mac at the Nokia blog makes an interesting read. Thanks for sharing. I will research more next Wednesday when I have the day off.
Visitor068 on 18 September 2007:
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JC on 1 October 2007:
I’ve tried to create a ringtone with MP3 trimmer and audacity for my Nokia 6300 and keep getting unable to use as a ringtone message…Any other suggestions…I’ve tried converting the file to both aif and mp3 on my Mac and haven’t succeeded yet!
Thanks for the help!
DJ Sammy on 7 October 2007:
Hi there I came across this posting after googling for ringtones. Thanks for the interesting read. I have often thought about o: Use MP3 Trimmer to Make Ringtones on a Mac at the Nokia blog too. Thanks for sharing. On Sunday I will have time to look into it more.
ghettobird211 on 24 November 2007:
I’ve cut out the part I want to use as a ringtone, but how do you actually save the new file?
nscanada on 9 December 2007:
hey guys i bought a nokia 5300 love it wnet to put a tone i made on it from an mp3 saved it as an aac and a mp3 tried bolth the phone picks them up but will not allow me too use them as a ringer however the one ringer i did d/l and pay for works fine any ideas