Basic EVP Recording Technique,
from the AAEVP
What is EVP?
Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) are intelligible voices found
in recording media that have no known physical explanation. Many
of the voices are thought to originate from deceased people. This
is the primary reason that people first began experimenting with
EVP.
Characteristics of the Voices
The recorded voices may be very quiet and may be difficult to
hear and understand. Most EVP experimenters say that they have
developed an “ear” for the sounds after learning to
distinguish them from background noise. In transform EVP, the
voices can often be recognized as male or female, young or old.
Messages are seldom longer than two to four words. The words may
be spoken very quickly, and there is often a distinctive cadence
to the voices. Analysis shows that they are simulations of voice
made from whatever sound is supplied, and are often missing voice
box frequencies and have oddly arranged formants.
Types of Recording
In controlled conditions recording, it is possible to control
ambient noise and supply special forms of background noise. Auric
energy is thought to accumulate in a “special” recording
area, which is thought to help make contact. In field recording,
it is difficult to control environmental conditions or supply
background sound, but in known “haunted” locations,
the energy helpful for contact may already be present.
EVP formed in an audio recorder by transforming available background
sound is referred to as “transform EVP.” In this,
it is sometimes possible to recognize the voice of the speaker.
EVP Formed by sweeping a radio dial, or with a computer program
such as EVPMaker, are referred to as “opportunistic EVP”
because sounds for voice formation must be made available on an
“as needed” basis. Radio sweep, and in some applications,
EVPMaker, depend on the use of “live” voice. The AA-EVP
will not use live voice examples for research because of the problem
of undetected false positives. EVPMaker using synthesized voice
is preferred for opportunistic EVP.
Environmentally stimulated speech synthesis is a relatively new
and promising technique, but it should be noted that all speech
synthesis approaches currently being tried do not support speaker
recognition.
Recording Procedure
Recording Equipment—Digital voice recorders are recommended
for transform EVP. Less expensive models produce more internal
noise which is useful for voice formation. High quality units
will probably require added background noise. A computer can also
be used, but will probably require added noise.
Scheduling—Entities will speak at any time of day or night.
In the beginning, however, it is advisable to record at a regular
time and place. By doing this, the entities learn when there will
be an opportunity for contact and expectation of the upcoming
session helps focus attention on the process. Try to find a place
that will be quiet and free of interruptions. Background sounds
are okay, but it is important to be aware of these so that they
can be distinguished from the EVP.
Background Sound Source—Research has shown that for transform
EVP, the entities use sounds in the environment to help form the
words. Most recording situations have some background sounds,
but it may be necessary to add noise with something like a fan
or running water. Some people use foreign language radio, crowd
babble or audio tapes, but the AA-EVP discourages the use of radio
static or live voice of any form.
Preparation—Begin with meditation and a short prayer to
ask for only those intending the highest good and an invitation
to friends on the other side to participate. It is best to recording
when personal energy is the highest.
Recording—Vocalize your comments during an EVP session.
The entities will often come through as soon as the recorder is
turned on. These beginning messages may be the loudest, so it
is a good idea to turn on the recorder and wait a few seconds
before speaking. Questions should be recorded, and a period of
time between each comment should be left for the entities to respond--about
ten seconds. At the end, ask if the entity has something to say.
It may help to make an “appointment” with the intended
entity the day before, during prayer or meditation. Some also
provide feedback before the session so that the entities will
know what worked in the last experiment. It is not necessary to
record in the dark. People often try different devices and energy
sources to help the entities communicate. Leaving written questions
in the EVP experiment area the day before has worked for some.
Keep recording short. Recordings should be closely examined,
at least until it is understood where to find the voices. A best
practice for field recording is to use two recorders. As a rule,
EVP will only occur on one recorder or sound track, making it
possible to avoid mistaking local sounds for EVP (false positives).
Playback—In transform EVP, the voice is usually not heard
until playback. Experimenters report that the voices tend to become
stronger and clearer as the entities gain in experience, but at
first the voices may speak in whispers. Voices may not be recorded
in every session and it may take several sessions to discover
the first voice. Hearing the voices is a learned ability. It might
take thirty minutes to examine a three or four minute
Classes of Voices—A Class A voice can be heard and understood
over a speaker by most people. A Class B voice can be heard over
a speaker, but not everyone will agree as to what is said. A Class
C voice can only be heard with headphones and is difficult to
understand. Class B or C voices may have one or two clearly understood
words. Loud does not equal Class A.
Keeping a Log—Maintaining a record of recording results
is very helpful. Include the date, time, seconds into the recording,
the message itself and the question asked. Be sure to label and
save the audio file so that they can be found at a later time.
Experimenters report that they feel weather may affect results,
but this has not been well studied. The aaevp.com site has geomagnetic
and solar reports. There is also a link for moon phase information.
Digital Voice Recorders
Digital voice recorders are recommended for EVP experiments.
Today, all sound tracks—digital or analog—should be
listened to in a computer and with a headset. Unlike tape recorders,
the built-in microphone is usually satisfactory for EVP. There
is a selection guide for audio recorders here. The section includes
a setup guide for Audacity, which is an effective audio management
program that can be downloaded at no cost.
Computer Recording
A computer instead of a digital recorder can be used for recording
EVP. It should have an audio input jack, speakers, headphone jack
and sound player application such as Audacity. Most experimenters
use the computer to analyze and store examples. If the recorder
does not have a USB interface, it is possible to play the recording
into the computer while recording with a recorder program. The
Earphone jack of the recorder can be connected to the Microphone
or Line 1 jack via a cable. The sound source should be set to
the correct jack via the pull-down menu in Audacity. Recording
with a sample rate of 11025, mono and 16 bit resolution is sufficient
for EVP. Files should be edited as *.wav format, but shared as
*.mp3.
Analyzing the Recording for EVP
Always use headphones when listening to the recording in a computer.
The earmuff style that completely covers the ear is best, but
also good are the soft rubber ear buds that are inserted in the
channel of the ear.
Be sure to set up a method of saving your recordings in your
computer that will allow you to easily locate examples. A good
practice is to save the raw recording session in a dated folder
and then also save clips containing the EVP in the same folder.
Field recordings are saved under the name of the location and
the date. It is helpful to keep a separate folder for your Class
A examples for easy retrieval for demonstration to friends. The
AA-EVP follows the labeling practice of: (c)lisa_butler2008-what_evp_says.mp3.
The (c) symbol indicates the intention to protect rights to the
example. Using first and last name helps sort many examples in
the folder for easy retrieval. The underline and dash symbol with
no use of capitals helps assure that computer systems and the
Internet accept the name. A 200 kb audio file can be reduced to
around 15 Kb when converted from a *.wav file to an *.mps file.
This makes it easy for sharing files via the Internet.
THIS INFORMATION WAS TAKEN
FROM THE AAEVP