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Ringtone Reboot

Activity 1: What ringtone do you want?

(15 minutes)

 

Has this ever happened to you? If you want a new, unique ringtone, make one! You can record any sound to create a custom ringtone. Brainstorm some sounds that you would like for a ringtone. What are some unique sounds that you don’t usually hear as ringtones? You could use a sound from nature, a friend’s laughter, or a sound from your surroundings. You could even record someone whistling, singing, or saying a funny phrase. Write down a few ideas and choose which you like best. What sound will make your phone stand out when someone calls or texts you?

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Activity 2: How do you make it a ringtone?

(15-30 minutes)

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If you don’t already have it, download the free computer software Audacity. Now read a couple tutorials, like this one and this one from Audacity. If you’d like you can also look up a tutorial on YouTube. Why do you think it might be helpful to get familiar with the process by reading through the steps before you begin to do them?

Activity 3: Try it

(20 minutes)

 

Use Audacity to record the sound or voice that you want to use for your ringtone. Then follow the steps in one of the tutorial articles or videos that you found. If you get stuck, you could ask someone else who is doing this project, or try looking up an answer online.

 

One important thing to pay attention to is the format of your file. The format is the type of file, for example, mp3, WAV, and m4r.

If you have an Apple phone:

  • The ringtone needs to be in the format m4r.

  • When you are happy with your ringtone recording, it is time to export it. In order to export a file as an m4r, you have to download the ffmpeg Library. Here is a support page from Audacity on the process.

  • After installation, in Audacity, go to File>Export Audio. Choose m4r in the “Save as type” dropdown menu and save it.

  • At the bottom of this page there are instructions on format files and uploading your finished ringtone to your phone.

 

If you have an Android phone:

  • Most Android phones support mp3 files for ringtones.

  • Check that your phone uses mp3 files by doing an Internet search, for example, “samsung galaxy 3 phone ringtone file type.”

  • When you are happy with your ringtone recording, it is time to export it. In order to export a file as an mp3, you have to download LAME. Here are instructions from Audacity.

  • After installation, in Audacity, go to File>Export Audio. Choose mp3 in the “Save as type” dropdown menu and save it.

  • At the bottom of this page there are instructions on format files and uploading your finished ringtone to your phone.

Activity 4: Submit

(5 minutes)

 

Want to earn a few digital badges in audio production? Email the digital media you created to BGCAmediamaking@gmail.com 

Still Interested? Take a look at these resources: 

 

Article: Know Your Rights: Is it illegal to make my own ringtones?

Blog post: Make Your Ringtone Awesome With Retro Videogame Sounds

Article: Cell phone ringtones can pose major distraction, impair recall

Guide: Audacity Manual

What You'll Need: 

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Record an Original Ringtone

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