PD Cleaner

Overview

PD Cleaner is a Windows audio-restoration tool focused on noise in older recordings, including clicks, crackle, hiss and hum. It is best suited to collectors working with cylinders and 78s who want to shape the cleanup rather than accept a fixed result. Its historical focus is a strength, but Windows-only support rules it out for users on other systems.

Key features

Drop in a file and PD Cleaner analyzes its era, noise and clicks, then offers a Clean dial for adjusting the amount of cleanup. This provides a starting point while leaving the final balance to the user. Voicings for cylinders, acoustic 78s and early electric recordings address distinct recording eras; an uncoloured transfer option gives users an alternative to those tailored treatments.

A live before-and-after spectrum analyzer can show a curve, waterfall or both. Users can also solo the clicks, crackle or other noise being removed. Together, these make it easier to assess what the cleanup is targeting and listen to the material being removed, useful when preserving the character of a historical source matters alongside noise reduction.

The app supports WAV, FLAC, AIFF, Ogg, MP3 and Opus, with AAC and more enabled by a free optional add-on. It supports 24-bit archival exports and says it never overwrites the original file. PD Cleaner runs offline and uses the same instrument as a VST3 DAW insert or standalone app. Batch processing can handle a folder with one preset, but only in the standalone version; users who need batch jobs inside a DAW will need a different workflow.

Pricing

PD Cleaner is free and open source under AGPLv3, with a Windows 64-bit plan priced at $0. It requires no account and has no trial period. That makes it a straightforward option for Windows users who want restoration tools without a subscription or upfront cost. The trade-off is platform reach: there is no Windows alternative within PD Cleaner for users on macOS or Linux.

Platforms

PD Cleaner runs on Windows 64-bit. It is available as a standalone app or as a VST3 insert for a DAW, so it can suit either a folder-based restoration workflow or processing within a DAW. The Windows build is unsigned and may prompt an “unknown publisher” warning on first run, a practical consideration for users wary of installing unsigned software.

Who it's for

Collectors and archivists restoring historical recordings are the clearest fit, particularly those working with cylinders, acoustic 78s, early electric recordings or public-domain material made before 1926. DAW users can use the VST3 insert, while standalone users get the additional option of batch-processing a folder with one preset. It is less suitable for people who need a cross-platform tool or batch processing inside their DAW.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Era-specific voicings and an adjustable Clean dial give historical-recording collectors a targeted starting point without fixing the amount of cleanup.
• Pros: Noise soloing and a live before-and-after analyzer help users judge what the process is removing.
• Pros: Free, offline use, 24-bit exports and a stated policy of not overwriting originals suit careful archival work.
• Cons: Windows 64-bit is the only supported platform, excluding Mac and Linux users.
• Cons: Batch processing is confined to the standalone app and applies one preset to a folder, limiting DAW-based batch work.
• Cons: The unsigned Windows build may show an unknown-publisher warning on first run.

Alternatives

Audio Restoration Software and AI Audio Restoration Software are broader directories for comparing tools in those categories.

Choose VinylRest if you need an option spanning Linux, macOS and the web; its free public beta requires a license for processing, and its Live plan allows up to three active Mac installations. @audio/denoise is a web-based free option that runs in the browser without an account or upload, making it a better fit for browser-only workflows. Wave Corrector offers free personal use on Linux and Windows, so it is worth considering if Linux support matters.

Neiro is another free option for Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web and Windows environments. Cathar is free for Linux and macOS users. CEDAR Cambridge is a paid modular hardware and software system with custom pricing and configuration-dependent options, suited to buyers considering a configurable paid system. Vinyl Restoration Suite is a free alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows. Algorithmix Sound Laundry is a paid Windows alternative.

Verdict

PD Cleaner is a strong fit for Windows collectors and archivists who want free, adjustable noise reduction tailored to historical recordings, with both DAW-insert and standalone use. Its era-focused voicings, listening tools and archival export support make the case for choosing it. Look elsewhere if you need Mac or Linux support, or want batch processing within a DAW rather than the standalone app.