Dual-stage clipping
Op-amp saturation and silicon diodes combine for a tight attack, rich harmonics, and compressed sustain.
Basilisk
Venomous Distortion
Basilisk moves from focused crunch to venomous saturation without sanding away transient detail. Two carefully voiced clipping stages, a musical filter and a level control make it fast to dial in good tones and difficult to make them boring.
Basilisk isn’t made to sound clean. It’s made to bite.
Free beta · No purchases available
DistortionVST3MAC + WINDOWS
Creature lore · Medieval European folkloreThe myth behind
The myth behind
Basilisk.
Sounds it haunts
GuitarBassSynthsDrums
Known as the king of serpents, the Basilisk was a tiny creature with an enormous reputation. Medieval bestiaries claimed that its gaze, breath or venom could kill before its victim had time to react.
Basilisk hits with the same lethal speed: the first clipping stage sinks in the fangs, the second pumps in the venom, and the filter sharpens the attack.
Inside the
Beast.
Venomous filter
Shape the distortion after the clip. From bright, cutting bite to dark, heavy weight.
Aggressive midrange
Focused mids give riffs weight, clarity, and the presence to cut through a mix.
The controls.
Fast enough for the first idea, deep enough for the final mix.
BEAST NO. 002CLICK A NUMBER TO EXPLORE
CONTROL 01
Main Toolbar
Manage presets, save sounds, and access license and update settings.
CONTROL 02
Distortion
Sets the intensity and harmonic density of both clipping stages.
CONTROL 03
Filter
Moves from dark and thick to cutting and present.
CONTROL 04
Volume
Matches level or pushes the next processor in your chain.
CONTROL 05
Bypass
Turns the effect on or off. When bypassed, the original signal passes through without processing.
CONTROL 06
Input Trim
Adjusts the level entering the distortion circuit. Use it to compensate for hotter or quieter inputs.
CONTROL 07
Mode
Normal quality uses less CPU. High quality provides maximum processing quality.
CONTROL 08
Level meters
Shows or hides the lateral level meters.
Tap the numbered points to discover each control. Use the arrow on the interface or the view selector to open the advanced panel.
Technical details.
Everything needed to bring the beast into your setup.
- Formats
- VST3
- Systems
- macOS 12+ · Windows 10+
- Sample rates
- 44.1–192 kHz
- Access
- Free beta · No iLok
- Trial
- 14 days · Fully functional
FAQ.
Everything you need to know before unleashing the Basilisk.
Can I use Basilisk distortion on guitar, bass and drums?
Yes. Basilisk can add distortion to guitar, bass and drums, as well as synths, vocals and effects returns. Its two clipping stages add harmonic density and sustain, while the Filter control shapes the brightness of the distorted sound.
Can Basilisk do subtle saturation?
Yes. Lower Distortion settings add focused colour and harmonic weight before moving into heavier, two-stage clipping. Use Filter to adjust the brightness and Volume to match the processed output level with the original signal.
How does Basilisk’s Filter control shape the distortion?
Basilisk’s Filter control shapes the sound after the clipping stages. Use it to move from a brighter, cutting distortion to a darker, thicker tone. Distortion sets the intensity and harmonic density; Filter adjusts the tonal balance of that processed sound.
How do I match Basilisk’s output level to the original signal?
Use the Volume control to adjust Basilisk’s output, then toggle Bypass to compare the processed and original sound. Matching their perceived loudness helps you judge the change in tone without letting a louder signal dominate the comparison.
Does Basilisk support VST3 on Windows and macOS?
Basilisk supports VST3 on Windows 10 or newer and macOS 12 or newer. Supported sample rates range from 44.1 to 192 kHz.
How can I try Basilisk during the free beta?
Join the free beta using the link on this page. Your beta invitation provides download and activation instructions; no purchases are currently available. If your account offers a fully functional 14-day trial, it begins when you activate the plugin, not when you download the installer.
Can I use Basilisk offline after activation?
Yes. Basilisk can process audio offline after activation. You need an internet connection to activate the plugin or start an available trial through Moonbase.
Does Basilisk require iLok, and how do activations work?
No iLok is required. Moonbase manages Basilisk licenses and activations. Sign in with the email address associated with your beta invitation to see the licenses and activations available to your account.