---

Ringtones and the Treo

How to really annoy those around you.

On this page...
I tried installing a MIDI file but it is not available as a ringtone, why not?
Why do some MIDIs that I install work just fine as system sounds and others do not play at all?
How do I install ringtones?
How do I use ringtones I have already installed?
Where can I get more ringtones?
I have got a PDB with ringtones but I only want one and don't want to overwrite my current collection, what do I do?
How do I use mp3s as ringtones?
What is the BEST ringtone management software for my treo?
What if I don't want to use a ringtone management program. Is there anything else?
How do I use wav files internally as ringtones without a third-party program on my Treo 650?
How do I assign individual ringtones on my Treo 700p?
How do I assign individual ringtones on my Treo 650?
How do I assign individual ringtones on my Treo 700w or 700wx?

I tried installing a MIDI file but it is not available as a ringtone, why not?

The Treo 600 uses MIDI files (*.mid) for ringtones. For a ringtone to become useable you must install it into the ringtone database. You cannot simply copy or HotSync MIDI files directly onto your Treo 600 or SD card - they won't show up as ringtones! There are a number of different ways to install new ringtones:

Why do some MIDIs that I install work just fine as system sounds and others do not play at all?

The first issue is size: the Treo will refuse any midi that's more than 64 kb.

The second issue is what synth variations it's using. Certain 'instruments' within the midi range are missing from the treo's collection. Heck what did you expect in the beastie that size? If they're ones you really (really!) want, you could try tinkering with them in a midi editor, and changing the instruments. (Thanks to RevdKathy in the MTDN Forum)

How do I install ringtones?

There are a number of ways to install ringtones on the Treo 600. You should choose whichever method suits your situation:

* If the ringtone is on a web site. Use the web browser on your Treo 600 to visit the web page that has the ringtone and click the link to download it. You will be prompted to confirm the download, click yes. When the download is complete another window will ask if you want to open or save the ringtone. Choose save, change the ringtone name to whatever you wish, then click OK. You have successfully saved the ringtone to your phone.
* If the ringtone is on your computer. You could e-mail the ringtone as an attachment to your Treo if your Treo's e-mail application supports attachments. Once you have the e-mail message on the Treo simply select to save the attachment and follow the instructions provided in 1 above.
* If your computer has IR beaming capabilities. You could transfer the midi file using the IR, nice and easy. If you are on a PC, just drag the ringtone (one at a time) to the Wireless Link icon that appeared when the Treo connected with the PC. However, there is a bug in the ringtone manager on the Treo 600, and you have to exit it first before transferring another ringtone, or strange things will happen.
* UPDATED: Use the utility VFSExchange to install a midi file from the SD card. MUCH EASIER than the old method using Blazer, shown below:


* Another alternative is to convert the .mid file into a .pdb and use the Palm Desktop Installer to synchronize the file to your Treo. This method requires additional software to convert the midi file and could be very time consuming. We hope to bring a new selection of .prc midi files soon to mytreo.net, in the meantime you could checkout these links for converting midi to prc: ringtonetools, Palm midi desktop, or the PalmOS developers site.

How do I use ringtones I have already installed?

If you have already installed your ringtones you can use them by following the steps below:

1. Open the Phone application and press the Menu button.
2. Select Options -> Sound Preferences to bring up the window.
3. Under Application -> Phone click the Tones button to bring up the ringtones window.
4. To assign a ringtone to a given function simply scroll down and select the ringtone you wish to use.
5. If you wish to play, re-name, or send a ringtone to another phone, click the Manage button at the bottom right of the Sound Preferences window to open the ringtone management application.

Where can I get more ringtones?

There are a selection of MP3 and MIDI ringtones available in our Downloads area at mytreo.net. There is also a great selection at RevdKathy's site∞ and also at TreoTones.com∞

I have got a PDB with ringtones but I only want one and don't want to overwrite my current collection, what do I do?

In this case you need a .mid extractor. A good, and free, one is Mider for HoHo.

How do I use mp3s as ringtones?

While there exists an abundance of midi ringtones available for use on the Treo Smartphone, many times due to the aforementioned size and 'instrument' limitations they can prove quite inadequate. There are, however, various methods to use the mp3 player capabilities of your Treo to enhance your ringtone experience (and REALLY annoy those around you).

By default, the Treo cannot natively use mp3 (and other audio) files as ringtones*; however, many third party ringtone management programs have been written to integrate with the various mp3 players available. Therefore, in order to use these audio files as ringtones, it is as simple as installing an mp3 player and a ringtone management software. You will find a good list of the most popular and trusted compatible mp3 players available for the Treo in the AudioCategory of our Downloads Section, as well as a number of third party Ringtone Management programs there and in the PhoneCategory.

What is the BEST ringtone management software for my treo?

Of course, the question "What is the BEST...." ANYTHING will gain very varied responses depending on whom you ask; however, there are several factors that can certainly aid in your quest to use audio files with your mp3 player as ringtones.

1. PRICE - Of course, this is a major concern with many users for most product decisions. While there are no "freeware" mp3 ringtone managers available for Treo, there is a rather vast price range of options available with something that *should* fit into everyone's wallet. The least expensive options include Phone Technicianand TreoGuard - both of which are by mytreo.net Star Developers and are also available for purchase directly (and often discounted) from the mytreo.net Treo Store.
2. FEATURES - Of course, while a low price is very much a plus, it is to be expected that the lower priced apps will have far fewer features than more robust (and higher priced) ones. One key feature lack in the aforementioned Phone Technician and Treo Guard is that they only offer one universal ringtone solution to be used for all ringtones - no personalized ringers for different contacts. In addition to individualized ringtones, most of these higher priced managers offer such features as enhanced caller ID screens, integrated (and UNLIMITED) picture ID, as well as ability to play mp3s for other system alerts (SMS, calendar, etc.). The most popular "pricey" ringtone management softwares include CallFilter For Treo 600, LightWav, mp3Ringer, mRing, Ringo PRO, and CallShield.
3. MORE TO COME..... (who will step up to add?????)

What if I don't want to use a ringtone management program. Is there anything else?

Yes - the beta app MiniTones can convert mp3s on your card to be used with the internal Sounds Database. (NOTE - Minitones cannot be used with the Treo 600 or previous versions.)

Also, beginning with the Palm Treo 650, Palm incorporated more methods than the lone midi ringtone capabilitities in earlier Treo models. While mp3 can still not be natively used, such other formats as the popular "voice ringtone" AMR and even small wavs may now be stored internally and used straight from the built-in Sounds application for ringtones*.

AMR and WAV ringtones can be dowloaded and installed onto your Treo just as simply as midi, and additionally they are stored individually and separately rather than as part of a Ringtones Database, as is the case with midis. However, these files generally cannot be simply hotsynced or directly installed to internal memory, and must rather be "transferred" directly into the Sounds app to be used. There are several methods in order to do this.

How do I use wav files internally as ringtones without a third-party program on my Treo 650?

Here is a simple yet detailed step-by-step procedure for using these files as ringtones:

1) Create a wav to be used as a ringtone.

I personally use dbPowerAmp∞ to convert any audio file to wav, and then a simple audio editor to split the part I want to use (you may need to split it from mp3 format as that "standard" is more widely supported by audio editors - some simple free ones are mp3 Splitter∞, mpTrim∞. I personally use audacity∞, but that may be too much for general users]). Note that you probably don't want the wav to be too large (I mean this is RAM about which we're talkin) - I personally use the telephone quality compressed wav setting for dbpoweramp, and about 4 secs is generally 60KB or so. You may of course use whatever suits you.

2) Save the wav to your SD card (or uploading it to a server should work fine too, as long as it can be downloaded through Blazer). I would just put it in the root directory and name it something simple like "tone1" - makes it easier while importing and you can rename the ringtone very easily later.

3) "Transfer" the file from the SD card to the Sounds application in internal memory.

The easiest method to transfer the tone from the card to the Sounds Database is using the freeware VFSExchange. Alternatively, to "transfer" the file from your SD card through Blazer Web browser, type "file:///.../filename.wav", where ".../" is the directory location of the file (if you uploaded to a server, then simply enter the link). This is the part that is more difficult if you use a longer filename, especially if it has characters like spaces for which you need to type "%20"s, etc.), and it will prompt to download to card or to download into the "Sounds" app. (NOTE: Using Blazer for the "transfer", if you use the pTunes mp3 player, it will try to override this, and you may need to uninstall pTunes *completely* before doing this, though simply deleting the pTunesWav plugin should "technically" work, though it never has for me - I usually just perform a card backup, uninstall pTunes, then after the "transfer" just restore the pTunes files and Saved Preferences from the backup.) Again, as stated before, there are several other apps that will make the "transfer" process far easier, such as RescoExplorer, Initiate, and possibly others.

4) Select the Sounds application for the location - it will here give you the option to rename the ringer, and the tone will now appear and function just as midis do in any alert app.

How do I assign individual ringtones on my Treo 700p?

Unlike the 600 and 650 where you were restricted to assigning custom ringtones to those contacts assigned to a Favorites, the 700p allows you to assign a custom ringtone to anyone in your contacts list.

Choose a contact you want to assign a custom ringtone, and click Edit. Directly under the picture, and before the Company you will see a line for Ringtone and a drop down menu. Click on the drop down and choose one of the standard ringers, or add some with Minitones to totally customize your call preferences.

How do I assign individual ringtones on my Treo 650?

You can assign individual ringtones on your Treo 650 by editing the Favorites button through the phone menu.








That's it! Your done! Just repeat the process if you want to assign another ringtone.

How do I assign individual ringtones on my Treo 700w or 700wx?

1. Add an mp3 to your device, either by transferring it via USB cable or SD card.
2. Navigate to Start > Settings > Personal Tab > Sounds & Notifications > Manage Tab.
3. Select Menu > Add.
4. File explorer will then launch. Navigate to where your mp3 file is and select it. The mp3 will then be added.
5. Now go to Start > Settings > Personal Tab > Sounds & Notifications > Manage Tab.
6. in the Event dropdown, select "Phone: Known Caller".
7. In the Ring tone dropdown, select the recently added ringtone. (you can also repeat this for unknown caller if you'd like, that way it'll play every time you get a call.)

0R...

1. Select a contact from your contacts application.
2. Select Menu > Edit.
3. Select the ring tone tab, and add the recently added ringtone. (This will play for only the assigned contact)

---

CategoryUserguide