How to shorten an MP3 without clipping the ends?

October 26, 2007 7:30 AM

I have an mp3 I'd like to use as a ring tone, but it's 2 seconds too long. I don't want to cut off the beginning or end, but is there some other way to shorten it to 30 seconds? What software (OS X please) can do this? I realize some options might make it sound slightly off, but it's a ring tone so I shouldn't be too bothered by it.
posted by howling fantods to computers & internet (12 comments total)

I'm going to assume you meant 2 minutes long.

You need an audio editor. You can use Audacity. It's free, works on OS X, and it's pretty self-explanatory.
posted by unexpected at 7:35 AM on October 26, 2007

Chop it off. When do you expect to get to the end of 30 seconds anyway?
posted by cmiller at 7:40 AM on October 26, 2007

mp3trimmer. Go to versiontracker.com and do a search.
posted by Gungho at 7:43 AM on October 26, 2007

Seconding Audacity. I use it for all my ringtone needs.
posted by jmd82 at 7:46 AM on October 26, 2007

The Amazing Slow Downer will do this, too, without changing pitch.
posted by mds35 at 7:53 AM on October 26, 2007

In Audacity:

1. Open file to shorten
2. Select the portion you want to shorten (select all, presumably)
3. Click Effect > Change Tempo. Drag the slider to the right or put some percentage greater than zero. This will speed up the song without changing the pitch. If it's only two seconds you won't have to increase it much.
posted by sprocket87 at 7:53 AM on October 26, 2007

what's wrong with iTunes?
posted by matteo at 8:24 AM on October 26, 2007

Thanks all, I'll give Audacity a try.

@unexpected No, I meant 2 seconds too long.

@cmiller I'm sure you're right, but it would still bug me. I'm weird that way.

@matteo I didn't think iTunes lets you change the tempo of a song like the other suggested software does.
posted by howling fantods at 9:23 AM on October 26, 2007

Amadeus can do this too.
posted by klangklangston at 9:35 AM on October 26, 2007

it's 2 seconds too long .... is there some other way to shorten it to 30 seconds.

No, I meant 2 seconds too long.

d035 n0t c0mpu73!
posted by wemayfreeze at 10:40 AM on October 26, 2007

wemayfreeze: howling's phone probably limits ringtones to 30 seconds. Mine does (Samsung m500)
posted by utsutsu at 10:55 AM on October 26, 2007

um, I re-read the thing. I get it. erp.
posted by wemayfreeze at 11:05 AM on October 26, 2007