How to Add Custom Songs to Beat Saber (Modded): A Comprehensive Guide
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Adding custom songs to Beat Saber elevates the gameplay experience from fun to phenomenal. While the base game offers an excellent selection, the modding community provides access to an endless library of music across all genres. This article will provide a detailed guide on how to add custom songs to a modded version of Beat Saber, along with answers to some frequently asked questions.
Direct Answer: How to Add Custom Songs to Modded Beat Saber
Adding custom songs to Beat Saber with mods generally involves utilizing community-developed tools and websites. The most common method involves the BMBF (Beat Saber Modding Framework) app on Oculus Quest, and Mod Assistant on PC VR platforms. Here’s a breakdown of the typical process:
For Oculus Quest:
- Install SideQuest and Enable Developer Mode: SideQuest is a third-party app store used to install BMBF. You’ll need to enable developer mode on your Quest headset.
- Back Up and Uninstall Beat Saber: This step is crucial to prevent conflicts with the modded version.
- Downgrade Beat Saber (If Necessary): BMBF usually requires a specific version of Beat Saber. Downgrading ensures compatibility.
- Install BMBF: Install BMBF using SideQuest. This application will handle modding your Beat Saber installation.
- Launch BMBF: Open the BMBF app on your headset.
- Patch Beat Saber: BMBF will uninstall the game and reinstall a modded version.
- Sync Songs: Using the BMBF website within the headset, browse and select custom songs. Choose the “Sync to Beat Saber” option to add the chosen tracks to the game. You can also choose additional songs before syncing.
- Start Beat Saber: Launch the modded version of Beat Saber, and the added songs will be available.
For PC VR (Steam/Oculus):
- Install Mod Assistant: Download and install Mod Assistant from a reputable source.
- Launch Mod Assistant: Open Mod Assistant and select the Beat Saber installation folder.
- Install Core Mods: Mod Assistant will display a list of core and available mods. Install necessary core mods like BSIPA (Beat Saber Interop Assembly) and Custom Songs.
- Download Songs Use websites like BeatSaver to search for and download custom songs.
- Install songs using ModAssistant: Mod Assistant provides an OneClick™ Install feature, allowing for an easy and quick installation of songs. When choosing this method the file downloads and installs automatically, just click the button for “One Click Install”.
- Manually Install Songs: If the method above fails, manually install the songs by unzipping the file and then copy and paste to the Beat Saber/Beat Saber_Data/CustomLevels folder.
- Start Beat Saber: Launch Beat Saber, and your custom songs will be accessible in the song list.
Important Considerations
- Game Updates: Always be aware that game updates can cause mods to break. You may need to wait for mod updates to be compatible with the latest version of Beat Saber.
- Mod Compatibility: Ensure that all the mods you install are compatible with each other and the game version. Incompatible mods can cause game crashes or other issues.
- BMBF Downgrading: When using BMBF, pay close attention to the version of Beat Saber that is required. If the game is too new, you will need to downgrade.
- Legal Gray Area: Be mindful that while modding is legal, using custom songs falls into a legal gray area similar to downloading copyrighted music without the proper license.
- Official vs Modded: Be aware that when you mod your Beat Saber you are not using the original version of the software. Because of this you will likely need to use the modded version to play songs and you may lose access to the official Beat Saber online features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is BMBF?
BMBF, short for Beat Saber Modding Framework, is an essential app for modding Beat Saber on Oculus Quest. It handles the core modifications needed to support custom songs and other mods, allowing users to enjoy a broader range of content. BMBF facilitates installing necessary core mods as well as other available mods.
2. What is Mod Assistant?
Mod Assistant is a PC application used to manage Beat Saber mods on Steam and Oculus platforms. It simplifies the installation and management of mods, including custom songs, making the process more user-friendly. Mod Assistant helps to download and install mods by simply clicking a button within the application.
3. What are the core mods I need for custom songs?
The essential core mods for custom songs are BSIPA (Beat Saber Interop Assembly), which allows mods to interact with the game, and the Custom Songs mod, which enables the game to read and play custom song files. These mods are usually installed with BMBF or Mod Assistant.
4. Where can I find custom Beat Saber songs?
Websites like BeatSaver are primary sources for finding custom Beat Saber songs. These sites allow you to browse and download songs in various difficulty levels. Community Discord servers often share song recommendations as well.
5. How do I install songs using Mod Assistant’s OneClick™ Install feature?
When browsing songs on websites like BeatSaver, you often find a “OneClick Install” button. Clicking it automatically downloads the song and instructs Mod Assistant to install it within your Beat Saber game folder. This streamlined method simplifies song installation. If the one-click feature does not work manually copying the file will always work.
6. Can I use custom songs on the native Oculus Quest version of Beat Saber?
No, you cannot add custom songs to the native, unmodified Oculus Quest version of Beat Saber. You must use a modded version through BMBF. If you try to install songs onto a non modded version of the game the game will simply not recognize the custom song file.
7. What if a game update breaks my mods?
Game updates frequently break mods. You will need to wait for mod developers to update their tools to be compatible with the latest Beat Saber version. Downgrading your Beat Saber may be necessary to restore mod functionality. The most common cause of issues with mods is that they are incompatible with the current version of the game.
8. What is SideQuest, and why do I need it?
SideQuest is a third-party application that allows you to sideload apps, like BMBF, onto your Oculus Quest. You need SideQuest to install BMBF because it’s not available on the official Oculus Store.
9. Can I get banned for modding Beat Saber?
While modding the game is not a violation of most terms of service, downloading pirated music can lead to legal issues. The developers do not officially support mods so you would not get banned by them. In short you will not get banned from modding, but you may encounter legal consequences if using copyrighted material you don’t own.
10. How do I manually install custom songs on PC?
For manual installation, download song files, unzip them, and place the folders containing the song information into the Beat Saber/Beat Saber_Data/CustomLevels folder. This method provides an alternative to automatic installation tools.
11. What do I do if my game crashes after installing mods?
Game crashes are often due to incompatible mods. Try disabling recently installed mods or core mods to troubleshoot. Additionally, ensure your game is the correct version for your chosen mods and the two are compatible.
12. How do I back up my Beat Saber save data before modding?
Before modding, make a copy of your Beat Saber folder or save data. If anything goes wrong, this backup allows you to restore your game to its original state. The save folder is often found in the game folder or in the local appdata folder.
13. What is ModelSaber?
ModelSaber is a repository for custom models including avatars, sabers, platforms, and bloqs. If you have the Mod Assistant installed, you can simply click the Install buttons to automatically install these models, or you can download and install them manually.
14. Can I change the colors of the sabers and blocks?
Yes, in the options menu, you can select visuals and customization to change the colors for the left and right sides. This will change the color of both the blocks and sabers. This is a feature of the base game and does not require the use of any mods.
15. Is it possible to throw sabers in Beat Saber?
Yes, you can throw sabers in Beat Saber. Hold the trigger button to release the saber. This does not require the use of a mod.