iPhone: How to Create Ringtones

Creating your own ringtones for your iPhone is fast and easy - and it can actually be completely free too!  The process may be well-known already, but I am writing a quick how-to-guide for my own reference, since I eventually forget if I haven't done it in a while.

How-To Guide: Creating a Ringtone from an MP3 for your iPhone

Note: I have done this on the iPhone 2G and 4G and I'm pretty sure it would work for any model.

DISCLAIMER: If you follow my guide to create your own ringtones for your iPhone, you do so at your own risk. I am not liable for any resulting damage or expense.  I do not work for Apple nor am I affiliated with the corporation in anyway.

STEP 1:

Select an MP3 you wish to convert into a ringtone.  This may be a clip from a song or a sound downloaded from the internet.  http://soundfxcenter.com/ has several sound effects to chose from if you're browsing for something in particular.  Keep in mind that you want to keep your ringtone reasonably short and you may have to use a software tool such as MP3 DirectCut to clip a section from the original MP3.

STEP 2:

Add the MP3 to your iTunes library. Select the MP3 in the playlist and go to Advanced and select Create AAC Version.

STEP 3:

If you are using Windows XP, locate the newly created AAC file.  It is usually located in the My Music folder, which is located in My Documents.  From there, go to iTunes > iTunes Music.  You'll then find subfolders for the Artist and Album, which could very well be titled Unknown.  Here's the full path for example:

C:\Documents and Settings\[User]\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Unknown Artist\Unknown Album

If you are using Windows 7, you can go to Libraries > Music > My Music > iTunes > iTunes Media > Music.  Here's the full path for example:
C:\Users\Andy\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music

STEP 4:

Now that you've located the AAC files on your computer, you need to rename then.  You'll probably want to show hidden extensions for filetypes to make renaming them easier, or if you're a novice, I think it should still show up when you right-click on the file and go to Properties.  The file should currently have the extension .m4a.  We need to rename it to .m4r.

STEP 5:

Next, locate the iTunes ringtone folder.  This is also in \iTtunes\iTunes Music\ and it should be a folder name "Ringtones" or "Tones".  Move the .m4r file to this folder.  Here is the full path:

C:\Documents and Settings\[User]\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Tones

Once you've moved it there, simply open it and it'll be added to your Ringtones within your iTunes program.

STEP 6:

Sync your iPhone and you should be good to go!

This process is very simple and the best part is, it doesn't cost you anything.  Hope it works for you and enjoy!

RE: PAndyX

It's been over 90 days since I've added P90X into my weekly workout routine.  You may recall from my blog that I altered the program to fit my lifestyle and needs, which basically came down to me continuing my own lifting and basketball schedule at the gym and doing just the cardio-type workouts on days where I don't lift or play ball.  Really it comes down to 7 DVDs that I just rotate through: Plyo, Yoga, Kenpo, Stretch, Core, Cardio, and Ab Ripper (this one is so short, I don't know if it should really count hehe).  In addition to the P90X, I was also trying to change my eating habits by splitting my meals into several small portions throughout the day in an effort to increase my metabolism.  90 days later, how did I do?

In terms of the P90X, I've really enjoyed it so far.  The workouts are pretty intense, but it's the convenience of being able to do them at home whenever that really makes it great.  I still think 3-4 games of 5-on-5 basketball at the rec is a better cardio workout, but I feel better about myself when I do P90X on days that I wouldn't have been doing anything in the past.  In the course of a week, I will end up doing 2 days of lifting at the rec, 1-2 days of basketball, and that leaves 2-3 days of P90X.  Thursdays are always an off-day now since I have bowling league and I'm trying really hard to not drink during NFL Sundays so that I can work out after the games.

In terms of my diet changing, I did a very good job in the beginning of breaking up my meals and eating half portions every few hours.  However, I felt it very constraining on my schedule in the sense where I couldn't always have my meal when I should.  For example, It'd be 4pm and I'd have a meal, but then I wouldn't be able to leave the office until 6pm, but I'd be planning on going to the gym after work.  That means I would have to eat after the gym, which could be as late as 8 or 9pm, a couple hours later than I wanted to eat.  I constantly found it difficult to cater my lifestyle around this diet and eventually I gave up on it.  However, I will say that getting into the habit of just eating less during each sitting carried over.  I will eat my 2-3 bigger meals throughout the day, but they certainly aren't as big as they were before.  Instead of ordering two burgers for example, I'll just go for one burger and maybe fries if I feel extra hungry.

With that said, it's time for the results.  I tried copying my friend Matt from his P90X Results Blog.  Below are 4 sets of poses of me with my shirt off (oo-la-la!) and me on the left in blue shorts is before and the green shorts is after.  In summation, I didn't really notice a huge difference from PAndyX.  I didn't lose any weight and my waistline maybe went down half an inch at most.  Oh well, mentally I feel like I've accomplished something at least!