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PD Cleaner

visemannen.github.io

Free plan Open source Windows
Visit visemannen.github.io
Spec score 8.0 #5 of 24 in Audio Restoration Software

What it is

PD Cleaner is a free Windows app for reducing clicks, crackle, hiss, and hum in old recordings, particularly public-domain recordings made before 1926. Drop in a file and it analyzes its era, noise, and clicks; a Clean dial lets you adjust the cleaning. Its 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 solo noise being removed. The app works as a VST3 insert in a DAW or as a standalone program. Folder-based batch processing with one preset is limited to the standalone version. Built-in formats are WAV, FLAC, AIFF, Ogg, MP3, and Opus; a free optional add-on provides AAC and more. It supports 24-bit archival exports and says it does not overwrite the original file. The maker describes it as offline software. The Windows release is open source under AGPLv3, and its build may show an unknown publisher warning when first run.

Spec sheet

What it does
PD Cleaner removes clicks, crackle, hiss and hum from historical recordings, especially public-domain material made before 1926.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Purpose
PD Cleaner removes clicks, crackle, hiss, and hum from old recordings, especially public-domain recordings made before 1926.Read 5 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Intended users
The maker presents PD Cleaner as a free replacement for restoring old 78s and as a tool for collectors of historical recordings.Read 5 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Support
The maker directs questions, bug reports and ideas to a Discord community.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
License
PD Cleaner is released under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Acoustic 78 voicing
The acoustic 78 mode targets shellac discs from 1898–1925 with 150 Hz–4 kHz flat equalization rather than RIAA equalization.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Archival exports
The application supports 24-bit archival exports and says it never overwrites the original file.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Audio formats
WAV, FLAC, AIFF, Ogg, MP3 and Opus are built in, while AAC and other formats require an optional free add-on.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Automatic analysis
After a file is dropped in, the software analyzes its recording era, noise and clicks before the user adjusts the Clean control.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Batch processing
The standalone application can process a folder with one preset and archival output.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Build requirements
Building from source requires CMake 3.22 or newer, a C++20 compiler, MSVC on Windows and a JUCE 8 checkout.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
DAW integration
The same restoration engine is provided as a VST3 insert and as a standalone application.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Developer outputs
A source build produces the PDCWorkbench standalone app, PDCleanerVST plug-in, pdclean command-line tool and test suite.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Drag and drop
Files can be dragged into the application and restored takes can be dragged to Windows Explorer or a DAW timeline.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Early electric voicing
The early-electric mode targets electrical 78s from 1925–1940s with a 50 Hz–6 kHz microphone-cut profile.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Exports
The app supports 24-bit archival exports and says it never overwrites the original file.Read 5 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
File formats
Built-in formats are WAV, FLAC, AIFF, Ogg, MP3, and Opus; AAC and more are available through a free optional add-on.Read 5 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · juce.com
Install choices
Downloads include an installer, a portable standalone executable and a VST3 ZIP package.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
License and source
The Windows release is open source under AGPLv3, and the maker links to its source on GitHub.Read 5 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Limit: batch scope
Folder batch processing is available only in the standalone application, not the VST3 plug-in.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Limit: optional codecs
AAC and additional formats are not built in and require the optional add-on or external encoder setup.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Limit: platform
The published release is Windows 64-bit, with no macOS, Linux, iOS, Android or web version stated.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Listen to removed audio
Users can solo the clicks, crackle, or other noise being removed.Read 5 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Live analysis
A live before-and-after spectrum analyzer can show a curve, waterfall, or both.Read 5 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Maker identity
The site credits Wiseman and Claude and says the project was made by one person who likes old records.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Maker profile
The linked SoundCloud profile identifies Wiseman as Shaun Wiseman and lists Gothenburg as the location.Read 15 Oct 2026 · soundcloud.com
Offline operation
The product page describes PD Cleaner as running offline.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Offline use
The maker describes PD Cleaner as running offline.Read 5 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Optional encoders
MP3, AAC and Opus export and exotic-format import are enabled by placing LAME or FFmpeg beside the executable or in its app-data bin folder.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plugin and standalone
PD Cleaner is available as a VST3 insert for a DAW or as a standalone app, with the same instrument in either form.Read 5 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Praise: DAW use
The independent article describes the standalone and VST3 forms as using the same processing engine and fitting DAW workflows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · projectofnapskint.com
Praise: folder workflow
The independent article praises standalone folder batch processing because one setting can be applied across many files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · projectofnapskint.com
Praise: format coverage
The independent article lists WAV, FLAC, AIFF, Ogg, MP3 and Opus support plus optional AAC support and 24-bit archival output.Read 15 Oct 2026 · projectofnapskint.com
Praise: removed-noise audition
An independent Japanese product article highlights the ability to listen only to removed clicks, crackle and overall noise while adjusting cleanup.Read 15 Oct 2026 · projectofnapskint.com
Recording eras
It offers voicings for cylinders, acoustic 78s, and early electric recordings, plus an uncoloured transfer option.Read 5 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Removed-audio monitoring
Users can solo the clicks, crackle or other noise removed by the processing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Security warning
The Windows build is unsigned and may show an unknown-publisher warning on first launch.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Spectrum monitor
A live before-and-after spectrum display can be shown as a curve, waterfall or both.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
System requirement
The official download is for 64-bit Windows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Testing
The repository says its core DSP is tested independently with a Catch2 suite, and Catch2 describes itself as a C++ unit-testing framework.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Uncoloured transfer
A neutral option can flatten the era-specific voicing for an uncoloured transfer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Unsigned build
The maker says the Windows build is unsigned and may trigger an “unknown publisher” warning on first run.Read 5 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io
Version 1.1 change
Version 1.1 fixes a plug-in-host timing problem that could desynchronize cleaning and stop controls responding until the plug-in was reloaded.Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io

Plans and prices

Free Free free Windows 64-bit · no account · no trial · AGPLv3 open source Read 15 Oct 2026 · visemannen.github.io

Every PD Cleaner plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free Windows app with no account or trial
  • Offers period-specific recording voicings
  • Shows before-and-after spectrum analysis
  • Supports 24-bit archival exports
  • Open source under AGPLv3

Limits

  • Public release is Windows-only
  • Batch processing requires the standalone app
  • Unsigned build may show a publisher warning

Who it suits

PD Cleaner suits collectors and other users restoring historical recordings, especially early cylinders and 78s. It can fit a DAW workflow or standalone use, with batch processing available in the latter.

Verdict

PD Cleaner combines period-focused cleaning options with both plugin and standalone workflows. Note that batch processing requires the standalone app and the Windows build may prompt an unknown-publisher warning.

Where Specifiction places it

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