The Postman Always Rings Twice

April 19, 2005 5:33 PM

smashTheTONES!Don't pay for an MP3 ringtone -- or worse, a MIDI file that's been floating around on the net for years. Provide the sound file, and this site will automatically format it to play on your phone, free of charge. If you are a nerd like me, this is your big chance to get some polyphonic video game themes on your cell phone with a minimum of fuss.
Be advised that your phone must be able to receive text messages and download ringtones to get your free ringtone goodness.
posted by jenovus (37 comments total)

Someone make a proper Austin Powers videophone ringtone, please!

Now I just need to get a phone that can download ringtones...
posted by anthill at 5:52 PM on April 19, 2005

Why do I need this? My phone plays MP3 and WAV files as ringtones.
posted by darksmiler at 6:02 PM on April 19, 2005

Oh my god. You have just single handedly destroyed my evening. Thank you, jenovus. Thanks alot.
BTW - is that a FF reference?
posted by Baby_Balrog at 6:05 PM on April 19, 2005

I've been downloading MIDI files to my phone for quite some time now, but thanks for the obvious reminder that I can use the internet to get things for free.
posted by angry modem at 6:11 PM on April 19, 2005

This calls for the bananaphone.
posted by hupp at 6:13 PM on April 19, 2005

Oh my goodness. My checking account is now (officially) federally fucked.
posted by Joybooth at 6:14 PM on April 19, 2005

Hupp, that was the first song I used this thing for. I've only got a fifteen minute wait left!
posted by borkingchikapa at 6:16 PM on April 19, 2005

No! Banana phone was done along time ago. I've had it set for my bro for awhile. Heh. I'll go find it...
http://www.boingboing.net/2004/11/01/bananaphone_ringtone.html

Yay! I've got all the super obscure final fantasy tactics ringtones you could shake a stick at! This is so kewl.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 6:18 PM on April 19, 2005

Heh. I've got Castlevania III for a ringer, myself. And yes, I am one of those unfortunate FF cases.

I was worried that my overeager presentation would get me nothing but a few shouts of "PEPSI BLUE" for my trouble. Thanks for making my post #1 seem almost acceptable!
posted by jenovus at 6:37 PM on April 19, 2005

This post was not only acceptable, it successfully tore me away from MeFi for nearly a half hour. Kudos!
And is that...like...Jenova-u.s. or some sort of plural or something? I should change my screen name to XxXS3PH1R0THXxX
posted by Baby_Balrog at 6:42 PM on April 19, 2005

Hmm, it says my Motorola T720 can't use polyphonic ringtones, when it most assuredly can (so says the Radiohead rings that I use).
posted by synecdoche at 6:42 PM on April 19, 2005

This is cool!

How on earth does this work for free? Do they have some way of sending messages around the world free of charge? I was sure that it would only work for the US, but it seems to happily accept my Australian number.
posted by dg at 6:45 PM on April 19, 2005

This is best of the web! Thanks!
posted by WolfDaddy at 6:47 PM on April 19, 2005

I don't know how he manages to keep this going for free, although I'll bet the banners and Google ads have something to do with it. The site has certainly become more popular recently.

B_B, it's my Latin skillz taking over to make the masculine form. But that doesn't stop people from referring to me as "Jen." Ugh. On a side note, I like your new screen name! All you need is a backing choir singing in A-something-minor.
posted by jenovus at 6:56 PM on April 19, 2005

Sweet, my phone is loaded with super mario tones now.
posted by mathowie at 7:07 PM on April 19, 2005

Ehh... as cool as this seems, I'm kind of skeptical about the website's intentions. I'm already getting random text message spam, and I'm not sure how. I have a feeling if I do this, I might be getting a lot more?
posted by RockBandit at 7:27 PM on April 19, 2005

The again, I just read on his website:


Privacy Policy: (free ringtones mp3 graphics nokia motorola samsung)
- I will not spam you, or your mobile phone.
- I will not sell your mobile phone number, or e-mail address.
- I do not store or sell personal information.


What do I know? (Obviously nothing!)
posted by RockBandit at 7:28 PM on April 19, 2005

I thought more interesting was the link to the Jamster lawsuit, which seems to be a type of service-supported scam targeted at mobile phone users. Stuff like that makes my blood boil.
posted by JHarris at 7:29 PM on April 19, 2005

Does this finally mean I can get the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers communicator "ring" for my phone to confound small children when my phone rings?
posted by The Cardinal at 7:47 PM on April 19, 2005

The Cardinal wins.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 7:49 PM on April 19, 2005

This phone, it vibrates?
posted by crasspastor at 8:05 PM on April 19, 2005

So, is this something that one would have to have a cell phone to know about?
posted by interrobang at 8:11 PM on April 19, 2005

I just got my first cell phone about a month ago, and I really didn't want it, but had to have it for reasons I won't go into here.

But now I have "Linus & Lucy," the cool piano song from the Charlie Brown cartoons, as my ringtone, and suddenly I WANT it to ring. :D Thanks, jenovus- this is great!
posted by BoringPostcards at 8:28 PM on April 19, 2005

My phone now rings with the French horn instrumental section from "Judy and the Dream of Horses". Yay!
posted by Asparagirl at 9:35 PM on April 19, 2005

I like that they declared war on jamster, which really does seem to be an evil organization.
posted by cell divide at 9:45 PM on April 19, 2005

Ring tones are freaking stupid - at least when people spend money on them. I find myself having fun when playing around and making them (as freebies).
posted by tomplus2 at 10:00 PM on April 19, 2005

The world will only become a truly beautiful place when someone creates a whoopie cushion cell phone virus.
posted by mecran01 at 4:36 AM on April 20, 2005

I'm using the ultimate cellphone ringtone.

"Ma nah Ma nah doo doo de doo do."
posted by eriko at 4:40 AM on April 20, 2005

I was skeptical at first, but I went ahead and tried it.

/rocks out to Queen

This is awesome. Best of the Web, jenovus. Thanks.
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:19 AM on April 20, 2005

Amazing find. thanks for the link
posted by Outlawyr at 7:34 AM on April 20, 2005

eriko- Where did you find the Mahna Mahna ringtone??? I've been looking for it forever for my Audiovox CDM-8900.
posted by MmmKlunk at 7:44 AM on April 20, 2005

Stupid Telus! Mine's not supported.
posted by arcticwoman at 9:54 AM on April 20, 2005

Or you could just get one of the new Nokia phones that contains an MMC card, copy a bunch or mp3 or AAC files onto the card, and use those as a ringtone. People don't think using Aphex Twin to indicate that my wife is calling is very romantic, but damn I like it.

Plus, when my family members call, I get to hear Doctor Worm. Always sure to brighten my day. (Downside is that I sort of want to keep listening rather than answer.)
posted by caution live frogs at 10:30 AM on April 20, 2005

If there are any ragtime or Fats Waller fans out there, this site has some awesome midi piano rolls. "Dinah" or "Handful of Keys" would be my dream ringtones, if only I could figure out how my damn cel works....
posted by maryh at 12:17 PM on April 20, 2005

Maryh, great site. I am already smiling pictuing those as my phone ringtones.

I need suggestions for more places to find mp3s. I am a total moron. Or can you make them out of music you already have on CD?
posted by Miko at 12:52 PM on April 20, 2005

Someone make a proper Austin Powers videophone ringtone, please!

anthill, i always thought of that as the 'In like Flint' ringtone, but i'm right there with you, if anyone knows where i can find a midi, send up a link because i've been looking for it for a while.
posted by quin at 5:48 PM on April 20, 2005

I've just checked a couple of Samsung phones and he wrongly claimed they support MIDI when, in fact, they are SMAF MA-2 (16 note) or SMAF MA-3 (40 note).

In addition, some of the Nokia handsets he claims support MP3 actually will only support Beatnik with embedded samples.

Having said that, since it's free, it's not too much of an issue if you get something that doesn't work.
posted by ralawrence at 2:32 AM on April 21, 2005