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Mastering David Gilmour's Sound with Fractal Audio
In the vast and storied world of tribute bands, Brit Floyd stands as a titan, revered for their unwavering commitment to capturing the essence of Pink Floyd’s iconic sound. Their performances aren't just concerts; they are immersive experiences, transporting audiences back to the golden age of classic rock. At the epicenter of this sonic voyage is guitarist Edo Scordo, a true maestro whose remarkable ability to channel the legendary tones of David Gilmour has earned him widespread acclaim. In this exclusive feature, Edo collaborates with Cooper Carter to take us on a journey through his intricate setup at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater, where Brit Floyd commemorates the 30th anniversary of "The Division Bell". Together, they unveil the secrets behind Edo's mastery of tone, showcasing how he harnesses the power of the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III to meticulously craft his signature sounds.
In this article, we will dive deep into three specific Pink Floyd presets Edo uses live, revealing the exact settings and techniques he employs to bring this track to life. Scroll to the top and click the top image to watch the Tone Tour video and do check out the complete Brit Floyd Tone Tour Series.
Preset Download
 | Download Edo's "Keep Talking" Division Bell presets Important: Review all assigned modifiers before using this preset. If you don't have a pedal connected, adjust or bypass relevant blocks (e.g., Volume, Wah). Use the Modifier Overview in the Controllers menu to see all assigned modifiers at a glance | Download |
Overview
- Tone Tour Video
Scroll to the top and click the top image to watch the Tone Tour video - Edo Scordo
- David Gilmour's Gear
- Tone Breakdown
- Socials and more on Edo Scordo
Where it all started for Edo: Pink Floyd Marooned
Another Brick Pt. 2
Cooper Carter
Our very own Cooper Carter takes us through his Axe-Fx III presets he used for his guest appearance on a Brit Floyd Concert.
Edo Scordo - Brit Floyd
Pink Floyd Presets
Edo Scordo dives deep into his Pink Floyd presets he uses live as we will reveal the exact settings and techniques he employs.
David Gilmour’s Gear: Recreate the Pink Floyd Experience with Fractal Audio
David Gilmour’s guitar work with Pink Floyd is the stuff of legend, and his live tones are a benchmark for guitarists seeking that perfect blend of clarity, depth, and emotion. From the haunting beauty of “Echoes” to the raw power of “Run Like Hell", or the lush, swirling textures of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” Gilmour’s sound is a testament to the power of carefully chosen gear. Now, with Fractal Audio’s Axe-Fx III, FM9, and FM3, you can tap into this sonic legacy like never before. From the towering clean tones of the Hiwatt DR103 to the creamy overdrive of the BK Butler Tube Driver, every detail has been meticulously modeled, offering you the tools to not just replicate, but refine and innovate on Gilmour’s iconic soundscapes.
In the following sections, we’ll dive into some of the key effects and gear modeled in the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III, FM9, and FM3, tweak the settings, and bring the spirit of Pink Floyd to your own performances.
Hiwatt DR103 Custom Head
Channel the iconic power and precision of David Gilmour’s live rig with the Hiwatt DR103, perfectly captured in the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III, FM9, and FM3 as Hipower Brilliant, Hipower Normal, and Hipower Jumped. It’s like plugging into the very amp that defined Gilmour’s legendary tone. But here’s the kicker: with Fractal’s endless tweakability, you’re not just replicating history - you’re reinventing it, crafting your own masterpiece from a rock legend’s foundation.
Fender Twin Reverb
David Gilmour famously used a Fender Twin Reverb during the Pulse tour, specifically for its rich, clean tones that complement his more overdriven sounds. The Fractal Audio models this classic amp with the Double Verb model, which perfectly captures the sparkling highs and deep lows that made the Twin Reverb a go-to for Gilmour. Whether you're after that pristine clean tone or want to push it with some drive, the Double Verb model gives you all the flexibility you need to recreate those iconic Gilmour sounds.
WEM Super Starfinder 200
The 4x12 STARFOUND MIX (TAF) model in the Fractal Axe-Fx III, FM9, and FM3 brings the legendary WEM Super Starfinder 200 cabinet to life, faithfully capturing its rich, full-bodied tone. This cabinet, loaded with custom Fane speakers, was a cornerstone of David Gilmour's setup during the Pulse tour. When paired with the Hipower (Hiwatt) or Double Verb (Fender Twin Reverb) models, it delivers the powerful, clear sound that defined Gilmour’s live performances, making it an essential component for replicating his iconic tones.
BK Butler 911 Tube Driver
David Gilmour’s signature overdrive sound often relied on the Chandler Tube Driver. BK Butler is the original designer of the Tube Driver, and after his split with Chandler, he continued producing and refining the pedal under his own name. The Butler Tube Driver is often considered the "authentic" version, directly from the designer, with his oversight on quality and component selection - and yes, you guessed it, it's available in both 3-Knob and 4-Knob versions in the Fractal Audio units. The 3-Knob version offers a brighter tone with manageable gain, perfect for bluesy leads, while the 4-Knob version provides more tonal flexibility, true to the original’s design. Both models are essential for recreating Gilmour's smooth, saturated overdrive tones, giving you the flexibility to dial in everything from subtle warmth to searing lead tones.
Big Muff Pi (Triangle)
The Pi Fuzz model in the Fractal Audio Multi-FX unit is based on the original Triangle version of the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi, the fuzz pedal that gave David Gilmour his legendary "Comfortably Numb" tone. Known for its rich, creamy sustain and dark, smooth fuzz, this pedal is less spitty than other fuzzes, making it ideal for use with a clean amp. In the Axe-Fx III, the Pi Fuzz allows you to dial in those iconic tones, with added flexibility to ensure you cut through the mix.
ProCo RAT II
Born from a happy accident in a Kalamazoo basement, the ProCo RAT has been the secret weapon for guitar legends like David Gilmour, Kurt Cobain, and Jeff Beck. The RAT is famous for its raw, aggressive tone, delivering everything from crunchy overdrive to full-on, face-melting distortion.
In the Fractal, the Rat Dist model faithfully captures this iconic sound, allowing you to harness the same power that Gilmour used to add bite to the Pink Floyd performances. Whether you’re looking to recreate the gritty tones of the 1980s or push your sound into new territory, the RAT is a pedal that demands to be heard.
EHX Electric Mistress
The Electric Mystery in the Fractal unit is your gateway to achieving the rich, swirling flanger effects that defined David Gilmour’s sound on tracks like "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and "Dogs." This effect was crucial in adding depth and a three-dimensional quality to Gilmour’s guitar tones, making them feel expansive and ethereal.
With the Electric Mystery model, you can explore the full range of modulation that made the Electric Mistress a favorite among guitarists. From subtle, chorus-like textures to full-on jet swooshes, this flanger delivers everything you need to capture those iconic sounds.
Boss CE-2 Chorus
Gilmour relied heavily on the Boss CE-2 Chorus during the Pulse tour to add depth and richness to his sound. The Japan CE-2 in the Fractal is modeled after the Boss CE-2, capturing the lush, swirling modulation that the CE-2 is known for. Whether used subtly or as a more prominent effect, this chorus plays a crucial role in shaping the ambient, expansive tones.
TC 2290 Digital Delay
The TC 2290 is of course included in David Gilmour’s delay setup during the Pulse tour. This piece of gear crafted the expansive, rhythmic delays that added depth and dimension to Pink Floyd's songs. The 2290 w/ Modulation model in the Fractal Multi-FX unit faithfully captures these characteristics, making it ideal for those who want to recreate the detailed, spatial effects that defined Gilmour’s live sound.
Edo Scordo - A Great Day For Freedom
How to Achieve the Iconic Pink Floyd Sound - "Keep Talking" Intro Preset
The intro to "Keep Talking" is a quintessential Gilmour moment - clean, spacious, and dripping with atmosphere. Recreating this tone requires more than just the right gear; it demands an understanding of how to blend compression, modulation, and reverb to build a sound that’s as expansive as it is precise. We’re here to show you how to make it your own.
In the following chapter, we'll walk you through how to achieve this sound step by step, breaking down the signal chain, effects settings, and amp configurations.
Crafting the "Keep Talking" Intro Tone
To recreate the iconic "Keep Talking" intro tone, the signal chain in Edo Scordo’s preset begins with Compressor 1, set to Dynamic Comp mode. What makes this compressor stand out is its fast attack and extended release times, allowing the initial transient of the guitar pick to come through crisply, while still holding onto the note’s body.
Next, the signal flows into the Tube Drive 4-Knob, a subtle drive block that adds just enough warmth to give the clean tone a bit of character without pushing it into distortion territory. The drive block is modelled after the "Butler Tube Driver" and with the 4-Knob, the EQ can be adjusted in Hi and Low. This is crucial for keeping the tone rich and full-bodied, capturing the essence of Gilmour’s clean sound.
The Chorus 1 block "Japan CE-2", modeled after the Boss CE-2, introduces the lush modulation that’s synonymous with Gilmour’s playing. The chorus effect widens the stereo image and adds a gentle, swirling motion to the sound, creating that spacious, almost ethereal quality that defines the intro.
At the heart of the tone is the Hipower Brilliant amp model (Hiwatt DR103), which fits right into Gilmour's Gear. This amp is set to deliver a clean, articulate tone with enough presence to ensure the guitar cuts through the mix without sounding brittle.
The signal is then split for parallel processing. One split goes through a 2290 w/ Modulation Delay, adding depth and dimension with a 450ms delay time that subtly repeats the signal, giving the sound a trailing echo that enhances its atmospheric quality. The next split passes through a Sun Plate Reverb block, which simulates the natural acoustics of a large space, adding a lush, expansive reverb tail that makes the tone feel larger than life.
The cabs are split into two paths with same cabinet blocks but a separate chorus effect on the left cab to create a wide stereo image. Edo does this with probably all of his presets.
Finally, the signal is polished with Compressor 2, a Studio FF Compressor. This compressor glues the entire tone together, ensuring that it remains cohesive and sits perfectly in the mix. The last touch comes from the Parametric EQ (PEQ), which fine-tunes the frequency response, carving out any unwanted frequencies and enhancing the overall clarity of the tone.
By carefully balancing these elements, you should be able to perfectly capture the spacious, atmospheric quality of David Gilmour’s "Keep Talking" intro, providing a versatile foundation for live performances or studio recordings.
Lead Tone - Signal Chain
This preset is all about blending warmth with clarity, driving your tone through a carefully crafted signal chain that’s as versatile as it is powerful. We kick things off with a Pedal Compressor set to "Pedal Compressor 1" on Channel A. It’s dialed in with a compression ratio of 4.00, an attack time of 6.400 ms, and a release time of 100 ms. The settings ensure that your playing stays punchy and articulate, adding sustain and evening out dynamics without squashing the natural feel of your tone.
Next, we step into gain territory with two Drive blocks. The first is a Tube Drive 4-Knob, also on Channel A, offering that unmistakable vintage tube saturation. With a gain set at 2.14, bass at 7.86, and treble at 4.18, this drive block brings a smooth, harmonically rich overdrive that’s ideal for rhythm work and lead lines needing just a touch of edge. The second Drive block is the ever-aggressive Rat Distortion on Channel A. Known for its snarling, cutting distortion and prominent midrange, this block is set with a distortion level of 4.00 and a filter at 6.30, giving you that iconic Rat sound, perfect for solos or when you need to cut through a dense mix.
The Amp block is where things get particularly interesting. We’re using the Hipower Brilliant model, which pays homage to the classic Hiwatt amps. The tonestack is specifically tailored, featuring a bright switch to enhance the upper frequencies and bring out that signature clarity. The preamp section is driven by ECC83 tubes, delivering that sought-after tube warmth and saturation. The tonestack is set to "516.6 Hz" and "Mid," allowing for a balanced midrange that’s neither too scooped nor too prominent, perfect for a wide range of playing styles.
After the Return block, the signal flows into a 2290 W/Modulation Delay block. Set at 450 ms with a master feedback of 48%, this delay adds a lush, ambient layer to your tone. It’s subtle yet effective, enhancing your sound without overwhelming it. Next up is a Studio Reverb block, with a 2.50-second decay time and a high cut frequency at 3794.4 Hz, which creates a spacious and warm reverb tail, perfect for adding depth without muddying up the tone. Finally, the signal hits a Rotary block to add that classic swirling effect, giving your sound a three-dimensional movement reminiscent of a Leslie speaker. This rotary effect is finely tuned with a slow rate for a subtle, musical modulation, making it ideal for adding texture to both clean and overdriven tones alike.
Riff Tone - Signal Chain
This preset offers an impressive tone.
Compressor: The signal chain starts with a Pedal Compressor, dialed in to balance the dynamics of your playing while providing the necessary sustain. The compressor responds quickly, preserving the natural attack while keeping the volume consistent.
Drive: The first Drive block, a Tube Drive 4-Knob, adds subtle saturation to the signal. With reduced gain, this block provides a warm overdrive that’s ideal for classic rock sounds. The tone controls are set to create a full, harmonically rich sound that stands out without being overly aggressive.
Chorus: The Chorus, based on the Japan CE-2, adds depth and dimension to the tone. With a moderate mix and a high cut, this effect delivers a subtle, but noticeable shimmer that shines in clean settings and adds a pleasant width to slightly overdriven tones.
Amp: The heart of the preset is the Hipower Brilliant Amp. The settings are chosen to deliver a bright, present sound without sacrificing warmth. The Bright switch is engaged, emphasizing the highs and adding extra sparkle to the tone.
Delay: Next is a 2290 W/ Modulation Delay, appreciated for its clear, rhythmic echo effect. The delay is subtle enough not to overwhelm the signal but adds a pleasing depth that enhances solos and melodies.
Reverb: The Reverb block, set to the Sun Plate type, creates a wide, atmospheric soundscape. With a long decay time, this effect produces a large, enveloping sound, especially effective when combined with delay and chorus.
Compressor 2: At the end of the chain, a second compressor ensures that all the effects blend smoothly together, keeping the overall sound controlled and balanced. This Studio FF Compressor maintains clarity and dynamics, even when the effect intensity is turned up.
Tone Tours, Fractal Friday & Masterclass
For more insights on using the Axe-Fx III and other Fractal Audio Systems products, visit the Product Page, Fractal Audio Wiki, or Forum. To purchase your unit, head to our shop and for in-depth learning, check out Cooper Carter’s Complete Fractal Audio Master Class Series. Also check out more Artist Tone Tours.
