6. Configuration. Ringtone limitation

Finally we came to the point involving some thinking. This chapter describes ringtone processing operations: size, duration, polyphony and tracks truncation.

Here's the Ringtone limitation configuration window:

6.1. Size limitation

You are definitely aware of one slightly unpleasant thing: most phones impose limitations on ringtone sizes and either refuse to accept files of larger size or behave in a funny way. By all means, this limitation has to be dealt with - and Ringtone Creator is here to help.

To enable size limitation, please check the Size limit box and type the upper size limit for all ringtones in your project. You should always keep in mind that if you select several different output formats (say, IMelody 1.2 and SP-MIDI), this limitation will be applied to both formats. Needless to say, you'll have to make another run for IMelody format alone, because IMelody is 8-20 times more compact than MIDI (IMelody is monophonic, as we all remember). We'd like to address this slight inconvenience in further versions of Ringtone Creator.

6.2. Time limitation

Here comes another useful feature addressing another headache: ringtone duration. Many people would disagree, but we strongly believe that unless you play ringtones on your phones for fun, 30-second duration will be enough. This statement has a simple explanation: calls are usually diverted to voice messaging system after 20-30 seconds. See? If your ringtone has the most beatiful part starting at 25 seconds and lasting for 15 seconds, almost the whole beauty of it will be lost forever. So it'd be a good idea to move this fancy piece somewhere closer to the beginning of the ringtone.

OK, back to this setting. You've already learned that to apply a limitation during conversion you need to check the approriate option box. In this case, the box is called Time limit. Ringtone Creator offers you an opportunity to get any piece of the ringtone unless you intend to cut out the second minute out of a 40-second long ringtone. Please note that you must specify all times in milliseconds.

6.3. Channel limitation

One of the many obtacles that you will definitely run into is ringtone polyphony. Oh, how often an innocently looking (and sounding) ringtone turns out incompatible with, say, Nokia Series 40 phones (the maximum polyphony they support is generally 4, and these phones refuse ringtones even with polyphony equaling to 5). The Channel limitation feature allows you to be confident that the maximum polyphony of your ringtones (don't forget - this limitation will apply to all ringtones in your project) at any time won't exceed the (obviously positive) number you put in the No more than... box.

This option also allows you to normalize the percussion channel(s). Most pre-2004 phones support only one percussion channel per ringtone and behaved unpredictably when given two or more. When you check the Make percussions mono box, you free yourself of another potential headache.

Another exciting feature of this limitation is that you can make ringtones monophonic - just set the number of channels to 1.

6.4. Tracks limitation

The last option on this screen has much in common with the previous option. However, it deals with ringtone tracks, which may be polyphonic. Thus, if you squeeze your ringtone to, say, 5 tracks, it won't automatically result in 5 channels (or polyphony = 5).

Why is track limitation also important? The answer, unfortunately, is not obvious. Some phones don't accept not only ringtones with polyphony exceeding 4, but with the number of tracks exceeding 4. This means that the following ringtones (otherwise perfect) will be rejected by such devices:
- 5 tracks, maximum polyphony = 3;
- 3 tracks, maximum polyphony =5.
We sincerely hope that this paragraph has saved you time and efforts.

General consideration: almost all limitations applied result in reduced ringtone size - and the quality may also degrade. Ringtone Creator contains advanced multi-pass semi-intellectual (and so on, you name it) routines for preserving ringtone quality even after the strictest limitations applied - but miracles rarely happen, and in some cases your resulting ringtone will resemble the original - but not more. It's not the fault of Ringtone Creator - rather it's the effect of strict limitations. If you ever run into it, please try to ease your requirements a bit.

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