USING A 3DS AS A HOME PRACTICE TOOL

Did you know that the Nintendo 3DS can play music in MP3 and AAC format? Not only that, you can have a lot of fun practicing with your sound recordings in the Nintendo 3DS's music player. Want to give it a try? Follow these steps on how to play music on your handheld.

Note that these instructions are specifically for transferring music from a Windows-based PC.

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 Minutes What You Need:  A Nintendo 3DS (3DS XL, NEW 3DS, NEW 3DSXL, 2DS also supported)  An SD Card (one is included with the Nintendo 3DS)  Music files in MP3 and/or AAC format  A PC with an SD Card reader

Steps: 1. Make sure your Nintendo 3DS is turned off. 2. Remove the Nintendo 3DS's SD card from its slot. You can find the SD card slot on the left side of your 3DS. Open the covering for the SD card slot, and push in the SD card in order to free it. Pull it out. 3. Insert the SD card into a computer that contains the music files you want to transfer to your Nintendo 3DS. Your computer must have an SD card reader. 4. A menu pops up asking what you'd like to do with the you just inserted, you can click "Open folders to view files." If the menu doesn't pop up, try clicking "My Computer," and then click on whatever option you're offered for your removable media (usually labeled as "Removable Disk." 5. In a separate window, open up the folder that contains the music you want to transfer. Copy and paste (or drag and drop) the music files that you want on your Nintendo 3DS onto the SD card. The data should go on the card itself: Do not put it in the folders marked "Nintendo 3DS" or "DCIM." 6. When the music has finished transferring, eject and remove the SD card from your computer. 7. Insert the SD card, connectors-up, into your Nintendo 3DS. Make sure the power is off. 8. Turn on your Nintendo 3DS. 9. Tap the "Music and Sound" icon on the bottom menu screen. 10. Using the d-pad, press downwards until you reach the folder marked "SDCARD." Press the "A" button to select your uploaded music from a menu.

USING A NINTENDO 3DS AS A HOME PRACTICE TOOL

Tips:  You can assign your Nintendo 3DS music to playlists. When you play a song, click the "Add" button on the bottom screen. Select a playlist, or make a new one.  You can have some fun manipulating your sound file. When a song is playing, tap the buttons on the bottom screen to change the song's tempo and pitch. You can also filter it through a "Radio" option, remove the lyrics with the "Karaoke" option, add an Echo effect, and (this is the best) convert the song to an 8-bit chiptune. Use the L and R buttons to add more effects, including claps, snare drums, meowing, barking(!), and more.  If you close your Nintendo 3DS, the music will still play through your headphones.  When your Nintendo 3DS is open, click the right and left buttons on the directional-pad to shuffle through your playlist.  Additional practice tools are also located on the Nintendo eShop. Apps named DSi Metronome and DSi Tuner are available at $2.00 each plus tax.