PD Cleaner vs Selekt Audio Restoration
PD Cleaner
visemannen.github.ioSelekt Audio Restoration
selektaudio.comSide by side
| Figure | PD Cleaner | Selekt Audio Restoration |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $4.17/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Spec score · AI Audio Restoration Software | 8.0 (#7) | 8.3 (#5) |
| Purpose | PD Cleaner removes clicks, crackle, hiss, and hum from old recordings, especially public-domain recordings made before 1926. | The browser-based restoration tool cleans isolated vocals, voiceovers and podcasts in modern voice mode, or complete vintage recordings and transfers in vintage mode. |
| Support | The maker directs questions, bug reports and ideas to a Discord community. | Support is provided by email at [email protected], with an FAQ covering licensing, downloads, tools and credits. |
| What it does | PD Cleaner removes clicks, crackle, hiss and hum from historical recordings, especially public-domain material made before 1926. | Selekt Audio is a browser workspace combining a cleared sound catalog with tools for finding, checking, separating, restoring, transcribing, mastering and building with audio. |
Plans
Selekt Audio Restoration
- FreeFree
- Free TrialFree
- Audio Restoration processing$0.25, paid once
- Early Access$5 a month
- Early Access monthly$5 a month
- Early Access annual$50 a year
In their own words
PD Cleaner
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.
Selekt Audio Restoration
Selekt Audio Restoration is a browser-based tool for cleaning vocal recordings and older recordings or transfers. Modern voice mode targets steady room noise in isolated vocals, voiceovers and podcasts; vintage mode addresses hiss, hum, crackle, clicks and surface noise. Users can optionally master the cleaned track at no charge and compare or download the original, restored and mastered versions. The tool accepts MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A and OGG files up to 250 MB. Modern voice mode treats non-voice audio as noise, so a full mix may require separating the vocal stem first. Users can also choose stems to split restored audio. Uploads are processed privately and are not added to the catalog. Results appear in My Library → Studio Results and remain available to stream or download for 48 hours. The restoration workflow is part of Selekt’s connected audio workspace, where results can move to tools such as Stem Lab and Drum Kit. A free plan is available; paid access starts at $5 per month, with an annual option at $50 per year.