Before you start, you need the following:
- 1. the phone! – this tutorial is for the LG Chocolate (VX8500 model), it may work with other models of the Chocolate but I have no idea.. you can check your phone’s model # by removing the battery and reading the manufacturer sticker.
- 2. USB data cable – to connect your phone to your computer. you can buy the Music Essentials Kit from Verizon for 30 bucks, or you can do what I did and get the cable for 3 bucks on eBay :P (it came with all necessary drivers)
-
3. USB drivers. – these needed drivers come with the music essentials kit, and most sellers on eBay include them with the cable.. but if you didn’t get a cd with your cable you NEED to download and install these drivers in order for your phone to communicate with your computer.
Free Chocolate USB Drivers HERE
(drivers for “MEK Music Essentials Kit”) - 4. BitPim – this is the program we’ll be using to transfer the ringtones to the phone.
-
5. AudaCity – this is the audio editing software we’ll be using to create the ringtones.
Download Audacity HERE
Download the Lame encoder
(to export your ringers as mp3 files)
that’s it! now time to make the ringers..
1. open Audacity and open/import an mp3.
2. now edit, crop, fade out, ect your mp3. final audio should be no longer than 30 seconds!
3. assuming you’ve installed the lame encoder, edit the output settings by pressing Ctrl+P.
3a. on the File Formats tab
3b. go down to MP3 Export Setup, now change the bitrate to 64. (see below)
4. now export the ringtone by clicking File in the toolbar and click Export As MP3…
BAM! you’ve just made your first custom ringtone. congrats. now it’s time to put that motherfunk on your phone.
5. Install the USB drivers BEFORE connecting the phone to the computer.
6. Connect your phone to the computer via the USB cable.
7. Assuming you’ve already installed BitPim, open the program.
8. It should be set to automatically detect your phone, but if not, go to Edit in the toolbar and on the dropdown menu click Detect Phone.
9. Now open the ringers on the menu tree (see below)
10. Once inside the ringer folder, drag and drop your mp3 ringer that you exported in step 4 into the ringer folder.
11. You’ll get a popup to convert the file, use the settings shown below, then click Convert.
12. After you’ve converted the mp3, click ok. now you’ll see this screen below with your ringer in it.. we’re almost done!
13. All that’s left is to send the ringer to your phone by clicking the button (shown below)
14. check the Ringtone box & click Add. then OK.
Your phone will dial a code when you transfer your ringtone, it DOES NOT charge you!
15. enjoy your new custom made FREE ringtone! if it doesn’t show up in your ringers on the phone, you may have to powercycle the phone (remove battery & put it back in).
to import/export wallpapers & images, it’s pretty much the same steps as above only with “images” folder. same thing for full songs, just use the “music” folder.. videos (youtube, myspace, ect..) on the other hand are a bit more tricky.. i’ll write up that tutorial soon :)
For those who have “access blocked by provider” issues with bitpim, please read below.
- Newer phones have a different version of firmware (V05 & V06).
- To find out what version firmware your running on your phone, go to
Menu >> Settings & Tools >> Phone Info >> SW Version >> now right at the top of the list you should see “SW Version”, now right below that you’ll see what version your running.. T85VZ… you’ll either have an 04, 05, or 06 at the end, that’s the version number!
Solution 1: Uninstall Bitpim, then download & install the latest bitpim-test (beta). Then refer to Krans’s comment for further instructions
Solution 2: This involves flashing lower versions of firmware onto your phone (which can brick it!) so I’m kinda hesitant to post it, however, I will type it up if people are still having problems with solution 1.
yay! you are alive!
haha yeah.. i’ve been crazy busy with work for the holiday season but christmas is passed so i’ll be back online a shit-ton again :)
YOU ROCK! I’ve been looking for a program to access the Internal memory of the phone! You found it for me!!! Thanks so much! Worked perfectly! Now I can really enjoy my USB connector to the fullest! Thanks a lot!
yeah that programs really bad ass, i use it myself and it works GREAT!! I love it !!
yo so can u like take a full size song and crop it down,
are these programs against the phone warrenty
I was looking around on the BitPalm page and I think this works for the LG 8300 as well . . . which is spectacular since that’s what I have :-D
yup. i just use a good verse or a chorus to a song (about 15-30 seconds long), and i don’t see how this would possibly void the warranty :)
ok thank you cant wait for the video tutorialand it works on the white edition of the phone didnt think it would mader but yep
UPDATE:
I did test this on the LG VX8300 as well as the VX8100 . . . and it works on both of those as well :-D
I’d assume it works on all of the LG phones with the MP3 players . . . since they all use a similar software setup . . . lol
How do I just transfer the full songs to the phone?
it’s gonna be the same steps as above only with the “music” folder. just drag & drop.
I can put full songs on the music folder, but how come I can’t find them in “my music” on my phone or play it with the mp3 player? Do we have to buy the memory card for that? I can put mp3s and use them for “sounds” and “ringtones” but not “music”. thanks for the help!
Ok, when you put a song on your phone you have to update your library then. In order to do this, go to Menu>My Music>Sync Music. This will update your music library. Good luck.
Ok, I have a few questions:
1. Am I saving the USB drivers on the comp or on the phone and if the former is the case, do I have to save it in a specific location on my computer?
2. Does the driver have to follow the manufacter of the cord or just the phone?
I have the LG 9900 (enV). I’m using an LG usb cord. I’m having issues with Bitpim recognizing my phone. None of the Comm ports I chose seem to recognize my phone. What can i do?
nevermind, i got it!
can i use a full song for the ring tone instead of croping it? or can it only be 30sec?