EVP is an acronym for Electronic Voice Phenomenon. This occurs when a disembodied voice is captured on an audio recording device that was not heard at the timeof recording. The EVP is heard found when review the recording at a later time.
Skeptics say the “sound like” noises are apophenia (which means finding a connection to unrelated or insignificant phenomena), low quality equipment and hoaxes. They also state it can be shown to be radio interference or other well document phenomena.
HISTORY OF EVP’S
Thomas Alva Edison believed that an electronic device could be built to communicate with people who have crossed over. He believed that if spirits could be captured on film, why not electronically? Edison announced in the October 1920 issue of the Scientific American that he was working on such a device but it was never completed. Edison died in 1931 leaving behind no machine or blueprints.
The actual credit for discovering EVP’s went to a Fredrich Jurgenson who was recording bird songs in the countryside in Sweden and when played back his recording, found a man’s voice discussing nocturnal bird songs. He spoke in Norwegian.
In the early 1950’s a Catholic priest was recording a chant and on playback picked up a voice repeating the chant. He then decided to ask some questions, upon listening to the recording again, picked up responses to questions asked to his father, including the nickname his father would call him.
1965 was the year that the science field took over the EVP research. Konstantin Raudive was a professor of psychology and began documenting words on audiotapes. Between 1965 and 1974 he recorded over 100,000 audiotapes under strict conditions. He published his findings in books including “Breakthrough” and “The Inaudible Made Audible”.
Since the 1970’s, scientists have made many discoveries. Marcello Bacci of Italy has conducted “Instrumental Trans-Communication Voice” (ITC) research in his laboratory. He uses “Direct Radio Voice Method” (DRV) to obtain abnormal communications directly through speakers of radios. These voices seem to acknowledge listeners by name and to respond to questions. In 1982 Engineer George Meek built a device called a Spiritcom. Meeks claims that he can enable a two way conversation between the living and the dead. He proceeded to give away the machines at no cost for research but received no initial success with the project.
EVP research is conducted all over the world, the main focus in the US and in Germany. Conferences are also held world wide by engineers and electronic experts who devise special equipment to record this phenomenon.
RECORDING
When using an audio recorder during an investigation, there are some basic rules to follow:
Understand your audio recorder and what the functions are. Research the recorder before you purchase, because quality does matter.
Make sure audio is clear of any previous recordings. This saves time at the review.
Place recorder on a hard surface if possible as static and other noises could be picked up when walking around or sitting near the recorder. Try not to collect audio outside and keep away from other electrical equipment because this could pick up interference (depending on electronic configuration of the recorder).
Always state the names of parties present, time, date and location. This assists later with any noises found and with debunking.
When asking (clear and precise) questions allow 10 – 15 seconds in-between questions. Also allow time for comparison of sounds and research/debunking. Record around 20 to 30 minute sessions. The longer you record, the more you have to review later.
When a sound is heard or made that can be explained please state so on the recording. This even includes when you accidently bump a piece of furniture or you hear a beep from the walkie-talkie. Sounds that make sense to us at the time may sound different on the recording while being reviewed later on (especially stomach sounds).
Team members unknowingly make noises without realizing including slight coughs, sighs, murmurs and also hunger stomach sounds! Try to look for these and control as much as possible.
Listen carefully to any noises in the room and control your breathing, movements, and voice quirks. Relax and take time if you need to adjust to the noises.
REVIEWING EVP’S
Reviewing evidence is pretty simple but very time consuming. If you recorded 4 hours of audio then you have to review 4 hours of audio. If you skip over anything you may miss something small but very important like a breath or a one word answer.
Always use headphones when reviewing to concentrate over any background noise. Review using computer software instead of the audio recorder itself (this way you can see the sound visually).
Write down which recorder you are reviewing not just date and time as this will help find the information later. Never write down what you think it says or sounds like. Just write down recorder info, date and time so others can review for themselves – you do not need preconceived notions. Remember that almost all of the voice and noise caught on the audio recorder are made by the people at the location. Make a notation and move on to the next section or else you could spend a lot of time reviewing just one piece of evidence when there could be more later to debunk.
If you have to pause the recording, back up 10 seconds so you don’t miss anything, you never know if you will catch a word while you stopped the recording.
A very common mistake is finding whispers on the recordings. First thing is to find out which member of the team may have whispered at that time. Do not assume it was a voice “from the grave”. It has never been proven or disproven that entities can whisper to us.
Above all, be critical of all evidence. You are placing your name on this recording and will be under scrutiny by skeptics. As a part of a professional scientific paranormal group, it is your job to do what you can to help the client, especially if that means finding the correct answer to unanswered voices and to not “assume” it could be an entity contacting you.
CLASSIFICATION SCALE
The classification scale below is a standard scale used by many in the paranormal field.
A – 100% Audible, clear voice & intelligent or reactive responses, not random noises or words. Audible to the human ear no enhancements needed, no question to what the voice is saying. Low Hz levels do not always apply to the true Class A EVP.
B – Practically audible, some doubt to the interpretation, syllables & consonant pronunciation is questionable. Appropriate time and timing to question or statement made to team member. Frequency levels are also undetermined, but usually found at the low end of the spectrum. Non-English EVP are placed in this category.
C – Frequency levels support this unexplainable voice, not always audible, but some constants are present. Timing and tone apply to this category. Direct response is not required. Random voices or tones apply in this category. Out of text words or phase that are not explained by correlating data.
D – Non-published or announced EVP. This may be an EVP, but it is too questionable to declare as paranormal. Whispers, faint murmurs, breathe like sounds and airy sounding voices. This classification if not a trash barrel for EVP, it is simply a holding area until the EVP has been validated by all data. Rarely claimed at reveal to a client.
E – If you have to work that hard to clarify or understand this potential EVP, then it’s probably not. G stands for GARBAGE. Trash it and move on.
SOME OF OUR EVP RECORDINGS
EVP – George and Dragon Investigation – “I’m Here”
(EVP recorded during our investigation of the George and Dragon Pub in Phoenix, AZ. It appears to be saying, “I’m Here” and was not heard by the two investigators at the time)
EVP – Private Residence – Gilbert, AZ
(EVP caught during our investigation of a private residence in Gilbert, AZ. What is being said is still unknown.)
EVP – Hotel LaMore
(This is an EVP that one of our investigators caught in Room 13 and after phase analysis, it appears to be coming from just a few inches from the microphone. The investigator at the time did not hear anything while it was being recorded and she was being monitored on camera from our command center)
EVP – Hotel LaMore – “There’s Hope”
(This EVP was captured while investigating Room 2 at the Hotel LaMore in Bisbee, AZ)
EVP – Private Residence – Phoenix, AZ
(This EVP was recorded at one of our more active investigations and sounds as though something is being said about a “ranch”)