Ringtone maker and Itunes...... How to import songs to edit for ringtones....

jkarnofsky wrote on 6/19/2011, 2:16 AM

I am posting this question here because for some reason, I cannot get technical support on the product I purchased TODAY! I got a message that stated that this product was no longer in the lineup and therefore not supported, which I think may be in violation of consumer law in the United States; but what do I know, I am just an end user.......

Now for my question:

I just bought Ringtone Maker 3 with the hopes that I can import tracks from my 5000+ track library in Itunes for Windows (created primarily from CD's I own; with a small handful of downloaded tracks. This library will grow to over 50,000 tracks when we merge my library with my father's); edit the desired tracks down for time reasons; and then transfer them somehow into my NEW WindowsPhone (HTC HD7; Tmobile).

Is there any advice out there? I refuse to buy music I already own..... AGAIN!

Comments

john-auvil wrote on 6/27/2011, 10:12 AM

I think first you need to make sure your iTunes library or at least the songs you want to use are in MP3 format. That is something you need to do through iTunes.

AAC = Apple Audio Codec... that also means that other companies do not have the ability to use them for means of editing, playback is okay, but editing for things such as making a ringtone is not. The other thing to remember is that when you purchase a song from iTunes or even from the a purchased disc, you DO NOT OWN the song, you own a license for its playback... iTunes the files are under a DRM (Digital Rights Management) license, which I believe you agree to every time you make a purchase from iTunes.

I do know that if you convert the file to MP3 you have a better chance at using it in third party software. If you burn the files to disc through iTunes you also can import that file from the disc into third party software. That should help.

I looked up the Ringtone Maker 3, it had a 2007 copyright. This means that it was written for the laws at that time and how Apple iTunes functioned then, I know for a fact that iTunes has changed their DRM license, which I am sure the Ringtone Maker has not as it is no longer part of the Magix arsenal of audio applications. It doesn't mean it won’t work, but it means you will need to convert your files from AAC to MP3. Apple by default imports files from disc in AAC format, I know it can also convert files to MP3, but I am not sure how that needs to be done. Magix doesn't have to support any of its software, there is no law stating that things have to be supported, its just good business to support products. They cannot support it at all for newer technology such as your Windows Phone, and there will probably not be a direct output for your phone. You will need to fine out from the phone manufacture how to upload ringtones and what format and bit settings it supports. You can't really expect Magix to support every piece of new hardware that is dropped on the market daily... can you?

I hope that helps

jkarnofsky wrote on 6/27/2011, 10:42 PM

Under normal situations, I would agree with the answer already posted; some of it was useful. However, what I take exception to is the lack of support from Magix with regards to this product. If they sold the rights to the product; I should be referred to the current owner of the product. In the United States, there is a consumer law in place that actually requires a company to support it's product for SEVEN years from the minute it becomes discontinued. In this case, that would mean that support is required by law to be provided until 2013, even if it means that support is taken over by the firm that purchased the rights. If there was no buyer, then it still falls under the umbrella of the original creator. This, however, should not matter because I bought the item last week. If they do not know; all I ask is for a response something to the effect that this is a new question and they would need to get back to me.

john-auvil wrote on 6/29/2011, 12:59 PM

I live in the United States and I know of no such consumer protection law forcing a company to offer any support... even on brand new product. Can you link me anything regarding this law? I searched the www.ftc.gov site and found nothing under the Consumer Protection, most notably Title 16.

I could possibly agree that maybe Magix support should have said that the program which is no longer in production, is probably not compatible with any of the new released phones using the various new operating systems that phones use, and doubtfully even compatible to operate in Windows 7 nor does it have the ability to use iTunes libraries because of newer DRM restrictions set by Apple since the release of the Ringtone Maker 3 in 2007.

I think that is the only such support they could give. Products sold at retail are owned by the retailers. But hey, I am not a law professor, if there is such a law, then I can see why companies have such crazy EULA's written in some unfriendly legalese.

I hope I was able to help some. If you still need to make ringtones then I recommend making a MP3 out of the iTunes file, (you could rip it from the CD again within Ringtone Maker 3) loading it and exporting the file out... (you need to check with the manufacture of your phone as which format is accepted) then you need to find out from the cellular carrier if they have blocked this (my former Cingular service blocked this because they had their own ringtone service subscription) and lastly if you get the file format and the knowledge that your cellular service allows this, then you could simply upload the exported file and once on the phone, load it as a ringtone.