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Genesis tutorial: turn a sample into a playable synth preset

2 min read · Updated

Genesis is a synth that rebuilds a sound you give it: it analyzes a reference (file or recording), builds a preset of its own synth that sounds like it, then offers variations by mutation, 8 per generation. Everything runs on your computer. The numbers match the markers on the screenshot.

Step by step

NAUPLY Genesis tutorial: turn a sample into a playable synth preset interface, with numbered markers for each step

  1. Load Genesis as an instrument

    Create Genesis as a virtual instrument in your DAW and open its window.

  2. Give it a reference sound

    Drop a sound (up to 20 s) on SOURCE or click LOAD… If there are several notes, Genesis picks the first clean, loud one (AUTO, NOTE > or the handles to choose).

  3. Analyze and generate

    Click ANALYZE & GENERATE and wait a few seconds: the resemblance is shown live, then the preset is loaded.

  4. Compare with the original

    Listen to ORIGINAL then SYNTH at matched loudness, and play the sound on your MIDI keyboard.

  5. Explore the children

    In GENERATION, click a child to hear it; double-click it (or BREED FROM THIS) to breed a new generation from it.

  6. Set the mutation and save

    MUTATION AMOUNT: to the left close cousins, to the right freer variations. LOCK keeps the groups you want. Refine in SOUND CONTROLS, then SAVE.

Choosing the right part of the sound

On SOURCE, drag the handles or draw an area to choose what is analyzed; a double-click takes the whole file, a right-click lists the detected notes. In the standalone version, REC records the audio input directly.

ANALYZE & GENERATE measures the selection (brightness, warmth, noise, envelope, movement, pitch, partials, formants), builds a preset, then refines it by comparing the synth with the original. SOUND PROFILE shows what was measured.

The RÉSEAU (network) option, off by default, uses a small local network trained only on sounds made by the Genesis synth to suggest the starting patch. Often better on synth sounds: try both.

Evolving the sound

Each generation offers 8 variations of the parent. CIBLE (target) and PARENT show the resemblance to the reference and to the parent. NEW GENERATION starts again, BREED FROM THIS starts from the chosen child, BACK TO PARENT goes back.

The LOCK buttons (OSC, PITCH, FILTER, AMP, MOD, FX) stop a group from mutating; right-clicking a knob locks a single setting.

Refining and saving

SOUND CONTROLS gathers the 8 essential settings (brightness, resonance, attack, release, detune, movement, space, level). The OSC, FILTER, ENV, LFO, FX and FM / FORMANT tabs give access to every parameter.

SAVE stores the preset with its sound profile and lineage; DUP, FAV, RANDOM and ANCESTRY complete preset management.

Layering up to 4 sounds: SCENE

The SCENE tab plays up to 4 sounds together. Drag a child from the grid onto a slot, or PRENDRE (take) for the current sound, then SCENE ON. The SCENE PAD blends the slots (one corner per slot, all four in the centre) in Mix, Mix égal (equal mix) or Morph mode, and 8 snapshots store pad positions.

Frequently asked questions

How long can the sample be?
Up to 20 seconds. If there are several notes, Genesis picks the first clean, loud one, or the area you select.
Does Genesis copy the sample?
No: it builds a preset of its own synth that sounds like the reference. The result is a real, playable and editable synth patch.
Does it need an internet connection?
Not for the audio: analysis, generation and the optional network all run on your computer. Only the license checks itself online, every 3 months.

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