Q&A

     

Are there any hints when creating a ringtone file?

As for a ringtone file, various formats are used depending on the model of mobile phones. In addition, you need to take the file size into consideration. Follow the notes below when creating a ringtone file by using simple conversion of ACS.

 

Specifying a music title

Enter the title by sequence name/track name of MIDI file's MetaEvent. In this case, enter only the sequence name and do not enter the track name. 
If you do not specify the title, file name will be used as the music title.

Specifying copyright information

Specify the information at the copyright display of the MIDI file's MetaEvent. If you do not specify the copyright information, the text "No Copyright Information" will be used.

Specifying a loop

Enter "START" at the beginning and "STOP" at the end by using marker or text of MIDI file's MetaEvent.

Specifying a tone

Before the music starts, specify a tone at the beginning of music in the program change. You can not change a tone in the middle of the music.
Do not use a bank change since only 128 tones of GM can be used. A drum is from 35 (bass drum) to 81 (triangle). Please do not put a bank change and a program change into the channel of a drum. In addition, you can not use a drum when creating a ringtone file of four chords.

Specifying a tempo

Before the music starts, specify a tempo at the beginning of music. You can change the tempo in the middle of the music but we advise you not to change it.

Volume

Before the music starts, specify a volume for every channel at the beginning of music. You can change the volume in the middle of the music but we advise you not to change it if possible.
We recommend that you set up the channel of a melody and a drum somewhat bigger.

Restricting musical expression

You can not use events other than a note, such as pitch bend. Although velocity is effective in DOCOMO, but not in Vodafone. We advise you not to use an expression. We strongly recommend that you exclude a system exclusive.

Restricting range

As regarding DOCOMO 16 voice, the tones that can be used are from A-1 to B7 (21-119). The tones that can be used in drum are from bass drum to a triangle (35-81).

Specifying a channel

Enter a drum in the channel 10. We advise you to put the same number to the track and to the channel if possible.

Restricting size

Although it depends on the model of your mobile phone, we recommend that you keep the size from 30 to 45 seconds.


About Voice Restriction
 
If you convert a MIDI file that has more than 16 voices into a ringtone file of 16 chords, the excess portion will be deleted automatically. If you want to avoid it, you will need to create a MIDI file within 16 voices.

Following is an example structure:

 

Track 1

Channel 1

Piano

Triad

Track 2

Channel 2

Bass

Monotone

Track 3

Channel 3

Guitar

Triad

Track 4

Channel 4

Saxophone

Chord

Track 5

Channel 5

Strings

Triad+6th/7th

Track 6

Channel 10 Drum

Triad+6th/7th (bass drum, snare, close hi-hat, open hi-hat)

 

Even if a drum does not sound simultaneously, one tone will be regarded as one voice.
Moreover, keep in mind that it counts 2 voices when a gate time is long and overlaps with other sound.