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       One of the more fascinating and potentially rewarding aspects of paranormal investigation is also one of the most misunderstood and misapplied techniques being used - the EVP or Electronic Voice Phenomena.

       In a nutshell, EVPs are disembodied voices recorded during a questioning session, the objective of which is to establish communication between the physical realm and the spirit world. Typically, the investigator will ask a series of questions in an effort to gain a response from an entity not visibly present during the time of the session. This technique is also known as ITC (Instrumental TransCommunication). A brief history of EVPs can be found here.

       There are varied methods currently used to gain positive results and these range from using external and internal microphones on a basic digital recorder to a white noise generator that would be used in combination with the recorder of choice. Analog or tape reel recorders aren't widely used because of the potential for mechanical noise that may originate from gears within the recorder itself. This has the possibility of creating false positives upon review of the tape as the internal noise may be mistakenly judged to be paranormal in nature.

                                               Digital Recorder       Analog Recorder

                                              (used by RISEUP)

       It is important to note that recorders with internal (built-in) microphones have the ability to pick up naturally occurring sounds undetectable by human ears if their sensitivity levels are set too high. A great many recorders will do this automatically when the natural sound levels in a location are too low. Likewise, recorders can sometimes be adversely affected by high electromagnetic levels, particularly analog recorders as the presence of magnetic tape can result in recording problems in areas with high EMF levels. In light of these potentially intrusive elements, it is wise to establish certain criteria that your recordings must meet before declaring anything you might hear as paranormal.  A controlled environment is key as is understanding what you actually may be hearing.

       We recommend if at all possible that recorders not be held in the hand during an EVP session and a complete sweep of the area for potential EMFs (Electro Magnetic Frequencies) be conducted before placing a recorder in a specific position. You must also be very aware of external noise in and around the location before conducting your session. These are just a couple of ways to minimize possible contamination by an outside source.

       So how to we determine if what we hear is actually human speech? With the vast array of natural sounds you might record, it is vital that you be able to determine what you are listening to during playback. If you cannot immediately determine where the sound originates from, it can easily and much too hastily be labeled as paranormal. After all, any sound can easily be confused as a human voice on a recording, particularly if it originates some distance away from the recorder. What we need to establish is if the noise displays speech and vocal characteristics while at the same time eliminating the possibility of an external source. While this sounds like quite an obvious course of action, you would be surprised, if not shocked, at how many people involved in the field - consciously or unconsciously - choose not to follow this path or spend the required amount of time to do so. 

       The two things we hear when listening to any sound are its volume and frequency. If a specific sound falls into the same frequency range as human speech, our brain will immediately determine what we hear to be words. Likewise, the brain interprets certain harmonic frequencies as music. There is almost always a certain pace to spoken words, so listen carefully when reviewing.

       Typically, the normal, healthy human ear can pick up sounds in the 20-20,000 Hz range. A human voice falls somewhere in the 300 to 3000 Hz range. If vocal sounds on a recording fall in the 0-300 Hz range it stands to reason they are then in the low-frequency range and probably are not made by the human voice.

       Very much like we think we can see distinct shapes in clouds floating overhead, the human brain can also interpret random noise as being something much more defined than it actually is. This function is called pareidolia, or in more current paranormal terms, matrixing. This is the mind's ability to create order out of chaos. In our cloud example, the eyes see a shapeless, puffy cloud, but the brain attempts to translate its random shape into something familiar to it through past experience. This is not to say however that everyone who sees that cloud will interpret its shape the same way. You may see a duck but I might see a chicken. The most common example of this as it relates to EVPs would be two people hearing a particular word and interpreting it differently. The word "phone" may sound like "alone" to a different person. In this case, the ears hear it but the mind interprets it.

       Expectation also plays a role in hearing things that do not exist. Let's say you are in a noisy, crowded bar and you try to train your attention on what two people in the corner are saying. While you cannot hear each word spoken you might hear enough key words that your mind fills in the blanks and then determines what the conversation is about. This is based on hearing similar conversations in the past.  Recordings that are noisy can also trigger this same effect. While you might not clearly hear every "word" spoken, the mind makes a determination as to what is being said. The downside is this can result in an interpretation and not necessarily reflect what was actually said. So beware.

       When reviewing an EVP recording, another example of how the brain interprets sounds is called The Cocktail Party Effect. Let's return to that same bar, (does our preoccupation with bars and cocktails say something about us?) where there are dozens of conversations intertwining - resulting in nothing more than buzzing, random noise that makes it all but impossible to follow what anyone is saying. Suddenly and inexplicably you hear your name out of all this verbal chaos. How can this be possible? Well, it seems the mind tends to somehow focus in on words that have some personal meaning to you, even when anything else is hard to discern. Picking specific words out of a noisy EVP recording when there is seemingly no way to determine what is being said is a prime example of the TCPE in action.

       So essentially what we say is: sound comes from your ears, words come from your brain. As you listen to a recording you might change your mind several times as to what is being said.

       Lastly, if you are actually told by someone what is being said on a recording before listening to it you are more likely to agree with them immediately after playback. Quite often, EVPs are presented publicly in this manner with a pre-determined conclusion as to what is being said. This introduces a great degree of suggestion  to the listener and almost always adversely affects their ability to reach an independent conclusion as to what words (if any) are being "spoken". Suggestion in this case will trump interpretation. This is why unless we feel we have captured a Class A EVP (one in which there is little to no doubt what is being said), we rarely if ever tell anyone what we believe is being said, leaving it to the listener's own interpretation. The upside to this may be that they will hear something we do not. Or perhaps better explain why the "voice" is actually something quite rational and normal. If we agree, it could spare us from being a little red in the face.

Example of a Class A EVP caught by RISEUP

"He's got it."

       Just remember that any noise in the normal speech frequency range is more apt to be interpreted as such. Do all of these variables mean you are not recording anything paranormal? Absolutely not. You just need to be more critical of your evidence before you label it. It will go a long way towards establishing your credibility and bringing something really exciting to the table.

       Steps toward recording good EVPs:

       1.)  While there is no need to spend a fortune on a digital recorder, you should nonetheless purchase one with the highest quality you can afford. Cheaper models sometimes are limited in the frequency range they can record.

     1A.)   Record the time, date, place and those present before starting an EVP session.  This is a great way of archiving your recordings as well as identifying voices and creating a fast means of establishing which other people may have been in that same location at other points of the investigation.

       2.)     If at all possible, don't hold the recorder in your hand. This increases the likelihood of your fingers brushing against the microphone and can also increase the chance of mechanical noises contaminating your recording. If placing it down is impractical or impossible, hold the recorder in an open palm and avoid touching it at all with your fingers.

       3.)     Don't place the recorder on a metal surface. This will dramatically increase your chance of picking up vibrations or reverberations on the recording.

       4.)     Use different types and models of recorders. You can be more certain that any defects or limitations that one displays won't show up in the other. If you use an analog (tape) recorder, try to use an external microphone you can plug into it and keep the mic away from the recorder thereby lessening the chance of contamination from mechanical sounds.

       5.)     Do not filter, edit or alter EVP recordings. While there are many excellent sound programs you can download to assist you in your review, the more you fuss with a recording the more likely you will alter its original form. If one "plays" with it enough, you can get a recording to say anything you want it to. In the interest of your credibility, it is best to present the recording in their original state. Besides, sometimes background noise is a good thing as it gives you a frame of reference to sounds not common to the location. Also be careful about settings that compress your recording. You may lose important data this way.

       6.)       Allow anyone listening to form their own opinion of what is being said. Don't bring suggestion into the equation by telling them beforehand what you think the recording contains. This will prejudice their judgment and not provide a fair assessment - which is what you really want. At least we hope you do!

       7.)       Allow a period of no less than 10 seconds between questions. If spirits really do want to speak to you,  give them a chance to formulate an answer.

 

       8.)       Keep your questions direct and concise. A long, rambling speech might just drown out the answer you're looking for. Get to know your subject though historical research and ask questions that are relevant to their surroundings and their lives. Try to limit your questions to a "yes" or "no" answer. You might find you get much more in return. If it works for you, prepare your questions ahead of time.

       9.)       Refrain from whispering too much during an EVP session. This also includes anyone present with you. I can't tell you how many times whispers from investigators are initially interpreted as anomalous voices. We always seem to figure it out, but it wastes a lot of time doing something - analyzing hours of audio - that can already be tedious.

      10.)     Be especially aware of background noise and wind effects when recording - especially outdoors. Self-explanatory. Make audio or written documentation on these factors - including where it is originating from - before you begin so you can refer back to them later on. During a session you should make recorded or written notes of any external sounds that might occur so you can eliminate "false positives" at the point they are recorded.

       11.)       Record in places where you have reason to believe paranormal activity exists. This in theory should increase your chances of actually capturing something .

      12.)       Always use new tapes in an analog recorder.  While we strongly recommend digital recorders, just be aware that if using tapes you should never re-use an old one. This introduces too much uncertainty as to what you are listening to being authentic or just overlapping noise from a previous recording. This practice should extend to video recordings as well.

       13.)       Don't hesitate to leave a recorder running in an empty room. There are probably numerous reports of footsteps, doors banging or disembodied voices in a supposed haunted location, so let your recorder run there. You might be able to validate (or debunk) such claims with the aid of your trusty recorder. Find a quiet place not near a window or door and make sure the room is sealed.

       14.)       Bring extra batteries! Sometimes your recorder will just die on you in the middle of a session. Are the spirits draining them? Possibly...depends on what you believe they are capable of. Either way, don't get caught without a spare set in your pocket.

       15.)       Try to make your questions measured and polite. Introduce yourself and speak calmly, as you would in any conversation. Say "thank you" in the end. Don't get caught up in the "provoking" nonsense. It's complete garbage and isn't proven to elicit any more of a response than a simple "how do you do?" What are you going to threaten a spirit with anyway? A proton-pack?

"Answer me or...I'll cross the #%&* streams."

Caught an EVP? Send it along in a sound file to us at info@riseupparanormal.com. We'd love to hear it!!