The Missing Link Audio AC/Overdrive is an overdrive pedal made to emulate the guitar tones of Angus Young from AC/DC1. Delicious Audio's coverage puts the target more specifically: the pedal aims to recreate Angus Young's AC/DC tone from the era of "High Voltage" through "Back in Black", with Malcolm Young's tones dialable with the turn of a knob2. Premier Guitar introduced it in December 2022 as a new release from Missing Link Audio3.
RockBoard's PedalPedia describes its range as rock-inspired tones spanning clean boost to hot overdrive, with tube-like saturation and rich harmonic content1. Premier Guitar's take was similar, noting that the pedal covers a broad range of sonic terrain, from boost to hot overdrive to complete tube-like saturation3.
An analog overdrive aimed at Angus Young's tones
The circuit is built around a pair of carefully chosen premium dual opamps, which Delicious Audio reports deliver the gain stages' sound uncompressed2. The pedal has a high impedance input that lets the guitar's natural tone come through, something both the maker and Delicious Audio highlight as central to its design12.
Its tonal reference point is Marshall rather than a generic overdrive curve. Delicious Audio describes the pedal as mostly based on Plexi-style amps such as the Marshall JCM Super Lead, and added it to the site's roundup of the best Plexi-style pedals2.
"It Nails the Angus Tone. From the days of "High Voltage" to the "Back in Black". Dial in Malcom with the Turn of a [Knob]"
The pedal is also designed to be left on all the time. RockBoard's PedalPedia says it reacts dynamically to the guitar's volume control and playing attack, so you can clean up or push it from the instrument itself rather than stomping on the switch1.
The controls: Volume, Gain and Tone
The layout is deliberately simple: three knobs for Volume, Gain and Tone13.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Shapes the output level1 |
| Gain | Dials in rhythm tones or lead tones1 |
| Tone | Dials in rhythm tones or lead tones1 |
Delicious Audio describes the Tone control as wide ranging, panning from fat and thick, chewy guitar, and says it helps tailor the tone to any amp2. Between the Gain and Volume knobs and the pedal's dynamic response to your guitar's volume knob, the maker positions it as a set-and-forget pedal that covers both rhythm and lead work without being re-adjusted1.
Power and bypass
The AC/Overdrive runs on 9V DC, center negative1, a standard requirement that matches most pedalboard power supplies. Delicious Audio's listing notes that a power supply is not included, so plan on supplying your own2. Premier Guitar's news item confirms the 9-volt DC input and the true bypass on/off switch3.
No power supply comes in the box. You will need a 9V DC center negative supply, the same polarity as most modern pedals, which makes it straightforward to run from a typical isolated or daisy-chain power brick1.
The true bypass switching means the pedal stays out of the signal path when it is off, which RockBoard's PedalPedia says ensures signal integrity1. Its high input impedance is what preserves the natural guitar tone when it is on1.
Videos
Missing Link Audio
TheGuitarGeek
60 Cycle Hum
Questions
Is the Missing Link Audio AC/Overdrive true bypass?
Yes. Both the maker's product page and press coverage describe it as true bypass, with a true bypass on/off switch, so the signal passes through untouched when the pedal is off.
Does the Missing Link Audio AC/Overdrive come with a power supply?
No. Delicious Audio's coverage of the pedal lists a 9V DC power supply as the power requirement and states plainly that the power supply is not included, so you need to supply your own.
What power does the AC/Overdrive need?
It runs on 9V DC, center negative, through a standard 9-volt DC input. Because no power supply is included, you will need a compatible 9V DC supply or pedalboard power outlet.
Is the AC/Overdrive analog or digital?
It is an analog overdrive pedal. The maker lists it as an analog circuit, and its gain stages are built around two premium dual opamps rather than digital processing.
Can the AC/Overdrive be used as a clean boost?
Yes. The maker describes its range as running from clean boost to hot overdrive with tube-like saturation and rich harmonic content, and Premier Guitar notes it covers ground from boost to full tube-like saturation.
What op-amps does the AC/OD Overdrive use?
It uses a pair of carefully chosen premium dual opamps. Delicious Audio reports that this two-opamp circuit is what delivers the gain stages' sound uncompressed, with a high impedance input preserving the guitar's natural tone.
Sources (3)
- AC/Overdrive by Missing Link Audio, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Missing Link Audio AC/OD Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2022-10-24
- Missing Link Audio Unveils AC/OD Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2022-12-05
