How .bforge projects preserve edits and recover source audio

A Backbeat Forge project is a working document, not a preference file. The versioned .bforge format keeps the editable score, analysis choices, mixer, source identity, and workspace state together for later review.

Save the full working state

Choose Save project after transcription or MIDI import. The project records score events and their kit piece, timing, velocity, articulation, and confidence; detection sensitivity and written grid; source metadata and fingerprint; mixer volume, mute, solo, and master gain; and the current workspace state. Recent score and mixer edits are flushed before serialization so a delayed UI update is not silently lost.

Use Save project to update the current file, or the save shortcut described by the app when you need a new location. Keep the .bforge extension so Backbeat Forge can validate the product and schema version when reopening it.

Reopen a project

Choose Open project and select the .bforge file. Backbeat Forge restores the score first, then tries to reconnect the original audio evidence. A valid source lets playback and the stem mixer return with the saved controls. The project does not need to rerun drum detection simply to display the saved score.

When the source moved

The project stores source identity information rather than trusting a path blindly. If the audio is missing, the saved score still opens and the app reports a source warning. If a file exists at the old or relative path but its fingerprint no longer matches, Backbeat Forge does not attach the changed audio as if it were the original recording.

Move a project and its source together when possible. If you intentionally replace the recording, open the new source and verify the score relationship before saving a fresh project state.

Bundled stem evidence

When the project contains separated stem assets, reopening can rebuild the playback mixer from the saved material. If bundled model resources are unavailable or a saved stem cannot be rebuilt, the score and mixer controls remain recoverable and the warning explains what playback evidence is missing.

For normal creation steps, see Quick start. For warning recovery, see Troubleshooting. Install the current build from Download.