PD Cleaner
PD Cleaner is free Windows software for reducing clicks, crackle, hiss, and hum in old recordings, particularly public-domain material made before 1926.
What PD Cleaner is
PD Cleaner is free Windows software for reducing clicks, crackle, hiss, and hum in old recordings, particularly public-domain material made before 1926. After a file is added, the app analyzes its era, noise, and clicks, then provides a Clean dial for adjusting the restoration. Its recording voicings cover cylinders, acoustic 78s, and early electric recordings, alongside an uncoloured transfer option. A live before-and-after spectrum analyzer can show a curve, waterfall, or both, and users can listen separately to noise being removed. PD Cleaner runs either as a VST3 insert in a DAW or as a standalone app. Folder batch processing with one preset is limited to the standalone version. Built-in formats include WAV, FLAC, AIFF, Ogg, MP3, and Opus; a free optional add-on enables AAC and more. The app supports 24-bit archival exports and says it does not overwrite original files. The maker describes it as offline software. The Windows release is open source under AGPLv3, with source linked on GitHub. The maker notes that the build is unsigned and may prompt an “unknown publisher” warning on first run.
Good
- Free and open source under AGPLv3.
- Offers voicings for cylinders and early records.
- Analyzer shows before-and-after audio spectra.
- Can run as a VST3 insert or standalone app.
- Exports 24-bit files without overwriting originals.
Watch out
- Available for Windows only.
- Folder batch processing is standalone-only.
- Unsigned build may trigger an unknown publisher warning.
Who it suits
PD Cleaner suits collectors and others restoring historical recordings, including people working with old 78s. It is for Windows users who can work with an unsigned build warning.
Verdict
PD Cleaner offers focused restoration controls and multiple ways to inspect removed noise, with both plugin and standalone workflows. Check the unsigned-build warning and standalone-only batch processing before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From PD Cleaner's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Windows 64-bit · no account · no trial · AGPLv3 open source · free |
The facts
Each one read from PD Cleaner's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Acoustic 78 voicing
- The acoustic 78 mode targets shellac discs from 1898–1925 with 150 Hz–4 kHz flat equalization rather than RIAA equalization.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Archival exports
- The application supports 24-bit archival exports and says it never overwrites the original file.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Audio formats
- WAV, FLAC, AIFF, Ogg, MP3 and Opus are built in, while AAC and other formats require an optional free add-on.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Automatic analysis
- After a file is dropped in, the software analyzes its recording era, noise and clicks before the user adjusts the Clean control.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Batch processing
- The standalone application can process a folder with one preset and archival output.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- Building from source requires CMake 3.22 or newer, a C++20 compiler, MSVC on Windows and a JUCE 8 checkout.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Cylinder voicing
- The cylinder mode is intended for wax and celluloid recordings from 1888–1929 and uses a 150 Hz–5 kHz vertical-groove profile.checked 15 Oct 2026
- DAW integration
- The same restoration engine is provided as a VST3 insert and as a standalone application.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Developer outputs
- A source build produces the PDCWorkbench standalone app, PDCleanerVST plug-in, pdclean command-line tool and test suite.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Drag and drop
- Files can be dragged into the application and restored takes can be dragged to Windows Explorer or a DAW timeline.checked 15 Oct 2026
- DSP chain
- The documented processing chain runs rumble high-pass, de-hum, de-click, de-crackle, broadband denoise, era playback EQ/de-resonance/band-limit and optional Character voicing.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Early electric voicing
- The early-electric mode targets electrical 78s from 1925–1940s with a 50 Hz–6 kHz microphone-cut profile.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Exports
- The app supports 24-bit archival exports and says it never overwrites the original file.checked 5 Oct 2026
- File formats
- Built-in formats are WAV, FLAC, AIFF, Ogg, MP3, and Opus; AAC and more are available through a free optional add-on.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Framework dependency
- The project uses JUCE; JUCE describes itself as an open-source C++ framework for applications and plug-ins with CMake integration and VST3 support.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Install choices
- Downloads include an installer, a portable standalone executable and a VST3 ZIP package.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker presents PD Cleaner as a free replacement for restoring old 78s and as a tool for collectors of historical recordings.checked 5 Oct 2026
- License
- PD Cleaner is released under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.checked 15 Oct 2026
- License and source
- The Windows release is open source under AGPLv3, and the maker links to its source on GitHub.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Limit: batch scope
- Folder batch processing is available only in the standalone application, not the VST3 plug-in.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: optional codecs
- AAC and additional formats are not built in and require the optional add-on or external encoder setup.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Listen to removed audio
- Users can solo the clicks, crackle, or other noise being removed.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Live analysis
- A live before-and-after spectrum analyzer can show a curve, waterfall, or both.checked 5 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Limit: platform
- The published release is Windows 64-bit, with no macOS, Linux, iOS, Android or web version stated.checked 15 Oct 2026
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