Ringtones explained: monophonic, polyphonic or any phonetic sound that rings your bell

Downloadable ringtones – the latest trend

What can you say about the ringtones? NOTHING … except that ringtone-capable mobile phones are today’s newest “must-have” item. One of the fastest growing features today is ringtones, especially downloadable ones! There are also other downloadable items available on the Internet, such as Java Games. Various wallpapers and screensavers are all the rage too, but by far the most popular feature requested is downloadable ringtones.

The cell phone and its various ringtones have become status symbols. Ringtones show that you are up to date and up to date. You can even run a test to define which ringtone best suits your personality. It can really show your lifestyle and certainly your taste in music on your sleeve.

This article will briefly describe what ringtones are, what is available today, and what the future holds. It will also suggest a caveat to consider before downloading the multitude of formats available on the market. Prices are low and the sky is the limit, so read on.

* What are downloadable ringtones?

* A warning before buying!

* What is available?

* A brief look at ancient history.

* Ringtones: where do we go from here?

* Other products available on ringtone websites

* What can you say about the ringtones?

What are downloadable ringtones?

Ringtones are the sound that a normal or cell phone makes when it rings. The first ringtones were simple chimes and, in later models, a combination of chimes. There were a limited number of ringtones available and they mostly consisted of different patterns of tones or squeaks. An example of one of the most infamous ringtones was the ominous “ring ring … ring ring” reminiscent of Todd Beamer’s last phone call on September 11th. You can listen to that ringtone featured as an introduction to Neil Young’s famous song “Let’s Roll.”

Tone technology developed rapidly and has come a long way since that song was recorded. Originally, you bought a cell phone and had the option of monophonic ringtones that produced a one-note song. The number of songs was extremely limited and the downloadable ringtones were just a good idea from an engineering student.

Due to lightning-fast technology and numerous service providers, one of the latest and greatest features available today is downloadable ringtones. When you surf the net, you will find many sites offering tones from today’s most popular musicians; you can choose monophonic, polyphonic, or true tone formats. More on that later.

A warning before buying!

The first thing to know before selecting, purchasing, and downloading a suitable ringtone is whether your cell phone is up to date enough to use this feature. Like everything else in technology, mobile phones have evolved very rapidly. As a result, the cell phone you purchased just a year ago may not have the ability to fully access the type of ringtone currently available. So be sure to check it out. Reread your manual or call your service provider to find out. You may be able to upgrade your phone for a reasonably low fee.

What is available?

Ringtones are divided into three formats.

1. Monophonic

2. Polyphonic

3. True Tone or Real Tone

To understand this type of technology, a person must have a background in physics / mathematics and understand music composition. Fortunately, all you need to know is what types of ringtones are available and what they sound like. The following is a description of three types of ringtones: monophonic, polyphonic, and true tone. Most websites offer samples of each, and once you listen to an example, you will know which type you want to use on your cell phone.

1) Monophonic ringtones

Some of the early mobile phones came equipped with the ability to have a one-tone ringer. “Monophonic” is the simplest ringtone technology that uses a midi format. This “one note wonder” changed the ringtones. Gone are the chimes and chimes; now you can play a song. A monophonic ringtone is individual notes that play a song. You may recognize your favorite song but it sounds a bit silly. Most monophonic tones are offered for free because full-bodied tones are now available, but if you’re trying to make a statement, read on.

2) Polyphonic ringtones

Polyphonic ringtones also use midi technology, but the tonal quality is richer and has more depth. This is because polyphonic ringtones can play up to 40 notes or more. A quick example is the sound that occurs when Windows XP® starts. Reproduces the sound of an orchestra playing a note instead of an instrument playing the same note.
Polyphonic with its richer tonal quality sounds better than monophonic, but compared to MP3 quality it sounds rather weak. The midi format may be suitable for basic ringtones and great for greeting cards, but if real sound is what you want for your cell phone, read on.

3) Truetone and MP3

The future of sound for ringtones appears to be in hi-fi quality. The real tone or true tone ringtones that can be downloaded to your cell phone are equivalent to the quality of an MP3 player and sound a bit like an iPod.

True Tone technology will allow the user to hear recorded voices like Austin Powers announcing “Your phone is ringing, honey, yeah.” This recording is so compelling that people will be looking for Mike Myers. Songs like “Hey Ya” by Outkast and the title track by Starsky and Hutch can also be downloaded. With a built-in microphone, you can record your own voice or someone else’s. True tone ringtones will even mimic a real old phone ringing. How about that retro thing?

A brief look at ancient history

In an almost ancient past, mobile phones came with a buzzer and no function. The wallpaper was something that decorated your house and the SMS were something unheard of. Cell phones were big and cumbersome and were only used by the elite or, as the marketing gurus put it, the “first users”. Very few people had cell phones due to size and cost.

Digital technology changed everything. Suddenly a lot of people were shopping and using mobile phones. This was confusing because every time a phone rang, everyone in the room started rummaging through their bags and pockets to answer. A unique sound was the answer and this is how the ringtones of each description came about.

Ringtones – where do we go from here?

Some technical websites declare that the cell phone of tomorrow will replace the MP3 player of today. This will be possible once a dual-use battery is invented that can hold a long enough charge. The power would last for more than a few hours and would be recharged easily. The “technicians” declare that memory capabilities must be improved so that the user can download and store hundreds of thousands of songs. This is not that far, in fact, an MP3 player that is replaced by a cell phone is considered possible within 5 years according to most technical websites.

Other products available on ringtone websites

Sound mixers and recordable devices

A 2002 Motorola cell phone came with an audio mixer that could tap into hundreds of musical instruments in the midi format. This cell phone has evolved a lot and allows you to program special effects. Effects include echo and reverb, to name just a couple. You can set your own ringtone, download it to your phone, and then enhance it with the hi-fi effects above.

Wall paper and logos

Many mobile phones are used to connect to the Internet and they also do double duty as palm pilots. This has required a larger screen and with that you need a special wallpaper. You can choose from a multitude of assortments. Your favorite logos can also be downloaded. Logos of all sports teams are available.

Java Games

Whether you’re waiting for the dentist or the bus, passing time is much faster by playing a computer game. Java games are available from the same websites that offer a wide variety of wallpapers and ringtones. Google the word Java Game or Gamer and there are many websites to choose from.

SMS (short message service)

ICQ (I Seek You) was the pioneer of SMS technology and still remains at the forefront of SMS technology. ICQ is well advanced and continues to progress. It offers the availability to stay in communication in real time and allows a large address book. As part of the ICQ community, there are message boards, chat rooms, and user lists available. ICQ also offers unique ringtones. SMS Google is catching up fast and now offers the user the option of sending a text message query directly to its website using a cell phone.

What can you say about the ringtones?

So there you have it, what can you say about ringtones? It seems in today’s state-of-the-art wireless world, quite a bit. Gone are the days when a single bell chime or as Lily Tomlin put it so well: “one gloomy chime, two gloomy chimes” had to ring to get your attention. Today, the options are endless, so find what suits you best in your own unique ringtone. Stay in contact!

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