Create your own MP3 ringtones

Over 200 Americans now own a cell phone, according to the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association. With that said, not only has selling cell phones, cellular services and accessories become a lucrative business, but selling ringtones has become a money-making gold mine as well.

One might even say that a company selling ringtones has its own money tree.

For example, there is a huge value disparity when an entire song downloaded costs under $1 but yet a six-second ringtone costs more than double - from $2 to $3. Plus, most people who are purchasing ringtones more than likely already own the full-length song.

Why pay from something you already purchased? Some might reason that it's out of convenience or time constraints and that's okay, but for those of you reading this who want save a few dollars and take advantage of your MP3 collection - this article is for you.

What you will need:
- A way to upload files to your cell phone. There are many ways of doing this, including Bluetooth, infrared, USB, and the Internet.
- Software that will allow you to edit music. One of the best editors is Audacity and it's free.
- Software for audio conversion. This is only if your phone will not allow MP3s as ringtones. Try DBPower AMP music converter.
- Software that will synchronize your PC and your cell phone. This is only for those of you connecting via a USB cable (Motorola users can purchase PhoneTools or download the free application, P2kman, off the Net).

Create and upload the ringtone:
- Start your audio editor, such as Audacity, and open up a particular MP3 you wish to use as your new ringtone. Select your favorite 10-15 second clip of the song by setting the in and out edit points. Save that clip as a new MP3 to be used as a ringtone.
- If you're phone is Web enabled then send this MP3 to your phone. You can also use free services on the Web to do this by uploading the file and entering in your cell number.
- If you're using a USB cable, connect your cell to your PC via a USB 2 cable; this is same type of cable that came with your digital cable. Sync the two using the appropriate software and upload your ringtone to your phone.
- If you're using other means to send the ringtone to your cell, refer to your cell phone's manual on uploading files.

After completing the above, the final task is simply to set the MP3 as your current ringtone on your phone and enjoy.

Blake Daniels is the creator and editor of www.theMP3plug.com