ELECTRONIC VOICE PHENOMENA
Electronic Voice Phenomena or EVP is believed to be the voices of the dead recorded on magnetic audio or video tape and even digital recording devices. Fredrich Jurgenson is credited with the discovery of EVP’s back in the late 1950’s. He had been recording the sounds of birds for a study. When he played the tapes back he believed he heard a man discussing bird songs. It is said he eventually made a recording of his deceased mother as well. Since then the phenomena has taken hold of the paranormal community and the work of EVP research has taken on a life of it’s own.
In 1982, a devise known as "Spiricom" was built by George Meek and William O’Neal. Through experimentation with the devise they are said to have actually recordedtwo way conversations between them and the spirits of the dead. The plans to specifications to build the Spiricom are readily available on the internet today and many have built such devises with little or no success that Meek and O’Neal claim. Since then many groups have experimented in capturing this activity through various means of recordings. Some people can hear these voices without the use of recording equipment, some people only occasionally while others can not until played back.
EVP’s are probably the easiest anomalies to capture by an investigator as well as the hardest to find and decipher in a recording. Almost everyone uses some type of computer software today to aid in that task which makes it easier today than ever to listen and discover those voices. Depending on your knowledge, budget and time you can find software ranging in cost from free to hundreds of dollars.
The computer plays a major role in the realm of EVP’s as they have gotten much faster and the memory sizes have increased greatly over the last few years. I find it easiest to listen to my audio recording with just a simple set of headphones first and then record questionable clips to my computer. Once on my computer I can adjust the properties of the recording and enhance the sounds to try and make out what is being said. Although, I do listen and archive my finding on the computer I have a set of classifications I use to determine if I should keep something or discard it.
EVP PROTOCOLS
Remove items such as jewelry that can jingle or make noise. Pay close attention to the change in your pockets as well.
Indicate for the recordings explainable sounds that are made by anyone in the group. i.e.: whispers, stomach growling creaking floors, ect..
Always speak clearly and loudly
Use quality equipment that does not make noise in itself. "TAPE" recorders are fine as long as you are able to distinguish the hums and hiss they make naturally. I prefer digital recorders myself. Just a preference.
Have plenty of fresh unused tapes and batteries.
Announce to the recording devise each area as you enter them so as to make review easier.
If "stand alone" recorders are being used, then announce your entry into those areas as well as when you leave.
Be mindful of what you say. If you do not want others to hear it then don’t say it.


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