The One Control Basilisk is a compact MIDI foot controller that lets a musician control MIDI devices from the floor: effects pedals, amps, switchers, or anything else with a MIDI input. Its defining capability is that it sends both Program Change (PC) and Control Change (CC) messages, which One Control describes as the route to "total control of your MIDI devices"1.
The Basilisk sits in One Control's lineup alongside the One Control LWP Series Basilisk Kit, a version you build yourself that shares the same core feature set, including up to 128 presets stored internally and the ability to transmit five PC and five CC messages simultaneously2.
Both the standard Basilisk and the LWP Series Basilisk Kit are listed as sold out on One Control's product pages as of October 202612.
What it does
The Basilisk's job is to put MIDI control under your feet. Each preset can carry both PC and CC data, so a single press can switch a program on a MIDI pedal and, for example, toggle a function or set a parameter via CC at the same time. The LWP kit version can transmit five PC messages and five CC messages simultaneously, and it supports Program Change numbers 0 to 199, so it can reach programs well beyond its own 128-preset count on connected gear21.
The kit version also has two MIDI OUT connections that transmit the same MIDI signal simultaneously, which lets you drive two MIDI devices from one controller without a merger or thru box2.
Controls and modes
The Basilisk has four footswitches and two operating modes1.
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Direct Access Mode | Lets the user recall presets quickly; when you change banks with the upper footswitches, the MIDI signal is transmitted immediately, without waiting for a lower footswitch press12 |
| Flash Mode | Lets you recall presets with the four footswitches1 |
The LWP kit adds a related mode on top of these. In its Normal Recall Mode, the upper footswitches select a bank and the lower footswitches select a preset. Its Flash Access Mode lets presets be directly assigned to individual footswitches, and it is enabled automatically when Normal Recall Mode is configured to use only a single bank: in that configuration the four footswitches give immediate access to four presets, two from the selected bank and two from the following bank2.
How it differs from the Gecko MKII
One Control draws the comparison itself: "The Basilisk is capable of sending PC# and CC#, whereas the Gecko MKII can only send PC#." If your rig only needs program switching, the Gecko line covers it; if you need CC messages to reach amp functions or pedal parameters, the Basilisk is the one of the two that sends them. One Control's current controller in that line is the One Control Gecko MkIII1.
Power and setup
The Basilisk is powered from a center-negative 9V DC power supply, with a maximum current draw of 30mA1. The LWP kit version specifies the same: a standard center-negative 9V DC adapter, 30mA maximum, with no battery support2.
No battery support means the Basilisk needs a pedalboard power supply or a dedicated 9V adapter. At 30mA max it is a light load, but the center-negative requirement rules out adapters wired the other way around12.
Not to be confused with the Wirehead Instruments Basilisk
There is another product called Basilisk that has nothing to do with One Control. Wirehead Instruments' Basilisk is a tabletop hybrid bassline synthesizer with both digital and analog components, covered by Gearnews in September 2024. It is a different product from a different maker: its controls include a pulse width that can be controlled manually or via LFO, and a de-tune control that its designer says generates everything from flanging and chorus to fifths and octaves. It also has an external input jack accepting signals from one to 10 volts, making it Eurorack compatible3.
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Questions
What is the difference between the Basilisk and the Gecko MKII?
The Basilisk can send both Program Change and Control Change messages, whereas the Gecko MKII can only send Program Change. If your rig needs CC control, for example to switch channels or toggle effects on a MIDI-equipped amp or pedal, the Basilisk is the one of the two that can do it.
How many presets does the One Control Basilisk have?
The Basilisk stores 128 presets, organized as two presets per bank across 64 banks. It supports Program Change numbers 0 to 199, so it can reach programs beyond its own preset count on connected MIDI devices.
What power supply does the Basilisk need?
It runs on a standard center-negative 9V DC adapter, with a maximum current draw of 30mA. A battery is not supported, so it needs a pedalboard power supply or a dedicated adapter.
How many footswitches does the Basilisk have?
It has four footswitches. In Normal Recall Mode the upper switches select a bank and the lower switches select a preset, and in Flash Mode the four switches are used to recall presets directly.
What does Direct Access Mode do on the Basilisk?
Direct Access Mode lets you recall presets quickly. When you change banks with the upper footswitches, the Basilisk transmits the corresponding MIDI signal immediately, without waiting for you to press a lower footswitch to pick a preset.
Is the One Control Basilisk still available?
No. Both the standard Basilisk and the LWP Series Basilisk Kit are listed as sold out on One Control's product pages as of late October 2026. The listed price was $219.99 USD, with another One Control page showing $274.99 USD.
Sources (3)
- Basilisk (OC-BAS), One Control USA
- LWP Series Basilisk Kit (OC-LWP-BAS), One Control USA
- Wirehead Instruments Basilisk Is a Hybrid Bassline Exploration Synthesizer, gearnews.com, 2024-09-28
