Do It Yourself EVP
By Mark Poysden
Anyone with an interest in the study of survival of the human consciousness beyond physical death stands to learn and grow from investigating and/or conducting his or her own EVP research.
There are many ways to approach the possible manifestations of post-mortem survival; perhaps the best attitude to take is to consider it a mix of both science and spirituality. Most researchers conduct recording sessions in their homes, on a regular basis. Frequency and consistency seem to aid in obtaining results.
What do you need to tape?
1: A tape recorder, obviously. Early recordings were made on reel-to-reel machines, then cassette decks. Anything with a built-inmicrophone or speakers has proven unreliable as they increasedistortion and often pick up too much local motor noise, ifrecordings are made at high levels. The introduction of digitaltechnology has greatly improved recording quality and is a still more preferable medium.
2: A microphone. Condenser mikes are not up to scratch. You will end up hearing yourself talking and there will more than likely be a wall of hiss in the background. Good quality microphones can be bought at most hi-fi stores.
3: Decent headphones always come in handy. They can help to pinpoint sounds more specifically if used simultaneously with (loud) speaker playback
4: Good loudspeakers that can tolerate high volume levels, a stereo amplifier to drive them, and if possible, a graphic equalizer, sothat you can filter out unnecessary frequencies.
5: A sound source. Try tuning to a frequency between stations on an AM/FM radio. You will probably achieve better results on the AM waveband, as FM contains so much bleeding between the stations on an already overloaded dial. Seek out areas where white noise is the dominant sound. This same procedure can be applied to short-wave radio, where there are less frequencies.
6: If utilizing the AM/FM or short wave bands doesn't appeal to you, try the air bands. These are frequencies air pilots and control towers use to communicate. The only earthly voices you are going hear will be clearly evident as air traffic communications, so if someone says, "This is your dead uncle," you can be sure it isn't a British Airways pilot. You might also try playing a record or making a tape of running water. Apparently both of these methods also work well.
7: A commitment to taping.
What should you expect?
Do not expect to hear anything the first time you tape, or perhaps the ten times after that. It seems to take about two weeks before most tapers get anything, or before their ear has been trained to distinguish a spirit voice, which might sound like a whisper, be low and tonal in pitch, be faster or slower than normal speech, or oddly accented.
If you are successful, you will undoubtedly hear voices uttering strange, seemingly unintelligible words and phrases. You may hear calls for help from distressed souls. You may never receive messages from the people (in spirit) you love best, or if you do, you may hear from them only once or infrequently.
References
Metascience Foundation Inc. Electronic Voice Phenomena EVP Alphaland International Ghost Hunters SocietyñElectronic Voice Phenomena Cyberpunk Archives--EVP Rev. Jarvis' Electronic Voice Phenomena Page The American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena Robin's EVP Examples & Transcommunication Page All About EVP - Fortean Times 104 EVP Spirit Recording
More information and reviews of "The Ghost Orchid" CD can be found at the
Parapsychic Acoustic Research Cooperative