Recreating David Gilmour's Amp Tone, Overloud PFL 100 Review

Overloud's Made In Rock series plugins are based on the guitar amp simulator TH-U, capturing the actual amps of famous rock musicians.

Recently, they released 'PFL 100', which models the HIWATT 100 amp head famous for David Gilmour's signature sound. HIWATT amps are well-known, with at least one version included in most amp simulator brands. Its vintage sound, with a clipping texture different from Marshall, Fender, and Vox, has gained much popularity.

The Made In Rock series is characterized by selecting one iconic amp from a specific artist and recreating it very meticulously. Also, thanks to Overloud's recently emphasized Fluid Capturing technology for cabinets, it is said to deliver a sound more similar to the 'real thing'.

The Hiwatt Custom 100 DR103, which the PFL 100 replicates, was manufactured as a high-end amp. With only 40 units produced per month, it's much rarer than Marshall amps, so many people might be unfamiliar with it.

pfl100 2 hiwatt — Photo=Hiwatt Genuine Amplifiers UK

The Hiwatt Custom 100 DR103 is characterized by its clean tone and clear delivery even in a driven state. Even with high gain values, it creates a clean and distinct sound with rich midrange that doesn't get muddy. I think it pairs especially well with the single pickup of a Stratocaster.

It has a different charm from the clean tone sound of Fender amps. Unlike the dark and thick low-end response of the Twin Reverb, the PFL 100 showed well-organized low-end and distinct note delivery.

The gain changes that respond immediately to strumming are also well implemented in the PFL 100. I was impressed by the changes created when the BASS was turned up high. Even with BASS turned all the way up, the low end doesn't get muddy and gently wraps the sharp response.

While the NORMAL channel is this amp's clean sound, the BRILL channel is a more driven tone. Still, it doesn't lose its transparent sound delivery. When playing rhythm, it creates a pleasant clipping that's just right, while maintaining satisfactory sustain when playing lines.

Changing the input channel to LINK in the PFL 100 allows you to use both the NORMAL volume knob and the BRILL volume knob to create a more sophisticated tone. Turning both knobs all the way up gives you the most extreme drive tone possible from the PFL 100. However, it still doesn't lose its cleanliness, so if you want to add more excessive distortion, you can use additional effects.

The above samples were rendered using only the amp and cabinet simulator for precise evaluation, with only one SM58 style microphone used on the cabinet. Creating sound with a slight room simulation (reverb) effect or combining two microphone sources would produce a more pleasant sound. You can also use effects and presets that can recreate David Gilmour's unique sound.

There is a stark difference between amp simulators and real amps. I think this is due to the difference in response to input gain. The above samples were recorded with an Audient ID4 audio interface, which is the level used by typical home recording users. Depending on the playing technique, I had to adjust the appropriate input gain value from the ID4 to create a good tone.

This can be somewhat cumbersome, but it also means that the plugin responds sensitively to input gain. I think this allows it to get closer to the real amp sound.

If you want to use an amp simulator simply and conveniently, products like Native Instruments' Guitar Rig are suitable.

In my opinion, Overloud plugins, especially the Made In Rock series, stand at the opposite end of this spectrum. If you're someone who wants meticulous amp tone making in DAW, especially if you like Pink Floyd and David Gilmour's sound, I recommend trying out the PFL 100.

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