Basilisk - wirehead - build notes - part 2

Part 2 of my Wirehead Basilisk build.

This is a bass line synth from Western Australia.

part 1 on my build is here:

https://djjondent.blogspot.com/2025/05/basilisk-wirehead-build-notes.html

I saw a cool video by Mylar the other day on this synth.

back to the build.

I like to align the faceplate with the pcb using the spacers provided.

Audio sockets and power socket next.

This is the rear of the display

align it with the front panel ... I'm keeping the plastic cover n it for now. ... it sits on top of the face plate.

switch & some pots ... just to check the panel alignment

The caps need to sit flat to allow enough room for the LED display.

Almost there.

insert the adruino

final 4 pots

don't insert any IC till after you have tested for shorts ... see the build manual.

Once this is all done plug it in . The synth runs on either USB power or DC 9V 

Basilisk - wirehead - build notes

These are my build notes for the Basilisk baseline synthesizer.

Wirehead come from Western Australia.

Here is the official website:

https://wireheadinstruments.com/basilisk

Links

+ Construction manual

+ quick start construction manual

It's described as analog hybrid. It has dual digital oscillators with a 12dB MS20 style filter (with overdrive).

There is a built in 1-16 step generative synthesizer. 

I purchased the kit from Tindie

A basilisk is a legendary reptile, often depicted as a serpent or serpent-like creature, 

known for its deadly gaze or venom. In European folklore, the basilisk is a fearsome beast, 

sometimes described as a "serpent king" or a "little king". 

It's also associated with the ability to kill or petrify with a glance. The name "basilisk" comes from 

the Greek word for "little king". 

The kit can with all components ... looks like a easy build.

IC sockets first

resistors & diodes, caps

Next .. the resistor array

Some info about arrays:

https://djjondent.blogspot.com/2018/12/resistor-arrays.html

470ohms & 100k resistor array 

These have polarity. look for the white dot.

A 471J resistor has a resistance value of 470 ohms with a tolerance of ±5%. The letter "J" in the designation indicates a 5% tolerance. This means the actual resistance can vary from 470 ohms by up to 5%, resulting in a range of 446.5 ohms to 493.5 ohms. 

lm336 voltage regulator

to be continued....

wirehead FREAQ FM - part 1

These are my personal build notes for the Wirehead FREAQ FM synth.

Wireheard are from my neck of the woods - Australia.

Its great to see some locally designed synths. Lots of good things come from WA.

The synth is DIY... all parts supplied

Its a 8-bit, two operator, FM synth.

It has 2 FM voices which can be paired with two sequencers

Links

+ support

+ Construction manual

one PCB board & two panels.

"the past is over, the present is fleeting, we live in the future"

Ray Kurzweil

Kurzweil said "I realize that most inventions fail not because the R&D department can't get them to work, but because the timing is wrong‍—‌not all of the enabling factors are at play where they are needed. Inventing is a lot like surfing: you have to anticipate and catch the wave at just the right moment."

Here is the official video build guide;

.....

solder the pins to the arduino, nano 1st.

Then snip the ends off

resistors next.

start with thee 470 ohm & 1M

solder the sockets

caps.. ceramic & electro

104 = 100nF

105= 1uF (blue monolithic cap)

diode 1n4004

(for reverse voltage protection)

transistor npn - BC337 (Q1)

8x..... 9mm 10K linear pots

connect the headers to the LED matrix

switches --- these are polarized

SW1 - SW6

to be continued .........................

• wirehead FREAQ FM - part 2