Analogue Recorders
Up until the late 90's, analogue recorders were the only means of capturing EVP available to researchers. From early reel to reel recorders to solid state professional audio recorders, there are many variations available. It traditionally takes longer to capture EVP on an analogue recorder, but when you do, you will find that the voices are much clearer than that of digital with a higher volume of class A voices. Many of today's researchers still prefer the use of analogue recorders during their experiments due to the clarity of the voices coming through. You will find that analogue recordings contain a high level of background hiss, which is where many of the voices can be found during analysis. We recommend the use of an external mic which should be positioned a few feet from the recorder to avoid the noisy mechanism of the recorder contaminating your recordings. Always use a fresh tape when starting a new recording session as tapes can get worn over time. Previous recordings may not be overwritten properly and may bleed through the tape into newer recordings.
Digital Recorders
The digital age is upon us and there are many digital audio recorders available on the market, from basic digital dictaphones to solid state professional digital audio recorders. Digital recorders are extremely portable and most have an in built microphone. Many of them have a built in flash memory that can give you hours of recording at the touch of a button and files can be managed easily. We have found that digital recorders are most effective for capturing EVP when used on the lowest quality settings. These settings appear to generate a higher degree of background hiss which is where many of the voices can be found. This is much like using white noise as carrier signal for EVP voices to come through.
One of the most talked about digital recorders for recording EVP is that of the Panasonic RR-DR60 IC Recorder. The RR-DR60 is a voice activated recorder that has shown over time that it is highly effective for capturing EVP. Inexplicable voices seem to come through on this recorder in abundance, even when used inside a Faraday Cage to rule out external interference. Unfortunately many of voices captured on the RR-DR60 seem to be extremely distorted and require much work using filtering software. None the less, these recorders are extremely interesting from a research point of view and many more experiments are required to find out why this recorder is so effective in comparison to other digital recorders. Unfortunately the Panasonic RR-DR60 is hard to come by these days. The Sony ICD range of recorders are also highly effective for capturing EVP and like many other digital recorders, can be slipped into your pocket and taken just about anywhere for experimentation purposes.
We recommend experimenting with many different digital recorders and comparing the results.
External Microphones
External microphones can be used with any recording device that has an input socket. We utilise many different microphones during experimentation including parabolic microphones. induction microphones, condenser microphones, dynamic microphones and radio microphones (wireless). It is important to experiment with different types of microphone during research as they can all have their own distinctive sound. Two of the most useful microphones are the parabolic which is used to pick up distant noise and amplify noise that occurs in close proximity, and the radio mic (wireless). We mainly experiment with different microphones using analogue recorders.
Desktop/Laptop Computers
It is possible to record sound directly into a laptop or destop computer via an attached microphone. Many researchers use this method and have succesfully captured many EVP voices recording directly in software such as Adobe Audition. Of course, computers are essential for analysing your recordings and laptops in particular are excellent for field recording.
Inter Frequency
The Inter Frequency method of EVP recording is used by many of today's researchers and was also a favourtie of past researchers such as Friedrich Juregnson, Konstantin Raudive and Raymond Cass. This method involves providing a background carrier noise whilst recording, such as white noise which was traditionally provided by tuning a radio in between channels. Many skeptics believe that the anomalous voices picked up in this way are actually stray radio signals. Interestingly enough we have never come across any cases where music has been recorded using this method, which is the main content of today's radio broadcasts. You can generate various frequency tones for experimentation purposes such as white noise, pink noise and brown noise in software such as Adobe Audition to avoid the need for a radio. We recommend experimenting with various different frequency tones during research.
Raudive Diode
Konstantin Raudive devised his own method of improving the quality of his EVP recordings. Through experimentation he found that using a Germanium Diode plugged into a recorder instead of a microphone vastly helped improve the quality of the voices. We have found that the Germanium Diode is capable of picking up radio waves and is best utilised in conjunction with a Faraday Cage (see below). You will find that the diode will not pick up your own voice or any noise contamination from your recording area. We highly recommend experimenting with this device.
Faraday Cage
The Faraday Cage is a very useful tool for EVP research. The cage is utilised to shield your recording equipment and to effectively wipe out the chances of electromagnetic or radio interference. A very good example of a Faraday Cage is the cooking compartment of a microwave oven which is designed to stop microwaves escaping. Try placing your mobile phone inside an unplugged microwave and calling it from a land line. You will find that the signal will not get through. Utilising a microwave for home EVP experiments is an ideal way to ensure that your EVP voices cannot be explained by electromagnetic or radio interference.
Telephones & Answering Machines
There are many reported cases around the world of EVP or anomalous voices appearing on telephone answering machines. Even in the modern age of digital telephone exchanges where crossed lines and virtually impossible. There are also many cases of people having telephone conversation with friends or family members who have long since departed this world. We have had experience of this and are truly fascinated by these other cases. We would very much like to hear from anyone who has experienced anomalous voices via the telephone for research purposes. When listening to telephone answering messages always pay particular attention to the start, the end for voices breaking through. This phenomena seems to occur on both digital and analogue answering machines and there are even cases of mobile phone messages containing anomalous voices.
We have provided some basic information about EVP recording equipment and recording techniques. Of course there are many more methods of recording EVP and we recommend experimenting with as many methods as possible. There is much to learn about the reasons why these voices appear on our recording equipment, so please do not be scared to try something new. The next breakthrough could be just around the corner! We have outlined some EVP recording guidelines on our advice page and please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information or advice.
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