Custom Ringtones (LG enV2, Verizon)

[ninjamonkeyspy]

I love the enV2 already. I had had the phone for maybe 10 hours before I had uploaded my first custom ringtones. It's actually very easy once the sound clips are ringtone-ready, but the ones that aren't require some software. Luckily, I have free software that does everything I need.

WARNING: I have the LG enV2 (LG VX9100) for Verizon Wireless. I don't know how this may apply to other phones on other networks, as I am not an expert, so don't try this at home if you don't know what you're doing.

Update 3/23/2009: I have confirmed that this process works for a variety of LG phones on the Verizon network that use MP3 ringtones and MicroSD memory cards. I have also successfully sent the tones to other phones on other networks, but with less consistent success.

Step 1: Prepare the sound clip.
First thing's first: get the (legally obtained) music ready. There are three requirements:
    File type: MP3
    File size: less than 500 KB
    Duration: less than 30 seconds

I recommend a 128 Kbps MP3, because a 30-second MP3 encoded at 128 Kbps is right at 500 KB. If you want higher quality, your clip will have to be shorter to meet the 500 KB limit. But you don't need that quality for the puny speakers on a cell phone.

If you have the MP3 you want but it's too big, you'll need to trim it down. There are free tools to do this, but that can get tricky, because it involves some free software that may take some getting used to. Here's how I do it:

• I use "MP3-2-WAV converter" (free, with ads) to convert high-quality MP3s to WAV files, and then I use RazorLame (with the Lame MP3 encoding engine) to convert the WAV to the standard-quality 128 Kbps MP3.
• I use "MP3 Direct Cut" (free, no ads) to cut the exact clip I want from any full-length MP3. Left-click to select the starting point, right-click to set the end point, then Ctrl+E (Save Selection As...) to save the selected clip as a new MP3 file.

Step 2: Send the sound clip to your phone.
Your phone may not work exactly like mine, so just follow along and see if your phone behaves in a similar manner.

1. Insert the memory card (micro SD in my case) into your phone to make sure the folder structure is ready for cell phone use. On the enV2, it automatically creates five folders the first time: "my sounds" is the folder we will use.
2. Remove the memory card from the phone and insert it into your computer where your MP3 is stored.
3. Copy the MP3 from Step 1 above into the "my sounds" folder on the SD card.
4. Remove the memory card from the computer and insert it back into the phone.
5. Start a new picture message, and then...
1. enter your phone number
2. scroll down to the "Sound" box
3. press the left menu button for the "Sounds" menu
4. select your sound clip
5. send the message
6. wait for your phone to send and receive the message
6. When you open the incoming message, it should play the soundclip.
1. press the right menu button for the "Options" menu
2. select the "save as ringtone" option
3. your sound clip should now be available to use as a ringtone

You can forward the picture message (with sound attachment) to friends with capable phones on the same network, and perhaps to others, but I don't know the limitations of this.