Paranormal investigating. Voice recorders

Yesterday we went over cameras, some which will be on a wish list for me, but probably never be in my pack. Recorders are a bit simpler and a LOT cheaper. The most you would pay for a recorder is about $225 for a multi directional recorder, but you can still get EVPs without going that far. The multi directional is what some investigators like TAPS use, but they also use digital recorders. I don’t know of any comparison studies done to see if one or the other work better.

That said, it is simple to buy a voice recorder, there are a few on the market, and like the cameras, they all have the same quality and usually features. It is hard to find a “plain Jane” recorder today, just like trying to find a flip phone….technology has made many things obsolete.

You want a brand name like Olympus or Sony. There are some “off brands” out there, but they aren’t any that are better than the top two. These little machines can be tricky to figure out , so take a moment to read the boring little book that comes with them.You will thank me later.

The cost is about $40-80. The file capacity is what makes the price difference, they usually all have the same basic features. Quality on the top ones is equal.

You want to make sure that you have a recorder that records in MP3 so you can listen in live and store files more clearly. You want as much space as possible,  because we all know that we don’t always have the time to listen to an investigation before the next one starts.You want one that has different settings for different situations (classroom, conference, etc).

Some require a connector to plug into your computer, to download your files. Some have one built in. Either is good. Just make sure to save them and then put them on a thumb drive or cloud.

Before you EVER go on an investigation, set up your recorder. These little boxes are made for students and professionals to take notes. They aren’t paranormal equipment, but we use them in paranormal investigating. There is a setting on the better recorders that filters out low and high level sounds. This is used so the AC unit won’t cover the person speaking, or the conversation in teh other room isn’t interrupting. You want that OFF. You don’t want anything filtered out. EVPs are generally in the higher and sometimes lower range, out of our normal hearing range, sort of like a dog whistle. When you are filtering those out, you will never get an EVP. You need to set this up beforehand because resetting the recorder erases all past files, so unless they are already reviewed or backed up, you will lose them.

An external microphone is OK too. Many people have the habit of rubbing their hands or clothing over the recorder making a rough scraping sound. It can mask an EVP. If you are good at holding your recorder or setting it down somewhere, you don’t need an external microphone.It does NOT make for better recordings, just makes for better users……

Keep an investigation in one folder. Each folder will have numerous sections for different sessions. This will help keep you organized. Set your recorder on “conference”. This sets the recorder up to “hear” outside the immediate range and collect various voices talking over one another. It acts like a multi directional mike and it “listens” harder.

A little sidetrack. When you start a recording, name the place, date, and people in the room. This way if you hear a voice that sounds like your co-investigator, you won’t have try to remember if he was with you when you made the recording.

Some have sound recognition features that turn the recorder on when they hear something. Do not use this while doing paranormal investigating. The noise or one word may be too abrupt to make it on to the recorder. Set your volume up as loud as it will go, and have fun.

Some other info about ghostly noises….The Frank’s Box is no longer made, but “Shack Hacks”, or “ghost boxes” are. These are items that people take and modify. Some will be real good at it and others will not. The radios have to be set at a very specific scan rate in order to work. The Ovilus will apparently also not be made anymore. Your only other option for direct voice will be the PX. The prices on these are all over the place from about $80 to $200.I am sure teh price will go up when there are no Ovilus left to be had. Make sure you have a warranty!!! You don’t want some dumb kid taking you for $40 because he crossed some wires on a transistor radio from Radio Shack to screw with you. It happens. Some uninformed people think it is OK to just make the radio scan, and it will pick up voices, not so, the rate has to be exact.

Try NOT to buy from “ghost hunter” sites. They have inflated prices for things that work like a charm that you can buy easily from many sources. There are certain items, like a K2 made for paranormal investigating where you may have to use a “ghost hunter” shop to get a new one.

You can get a recorder on line, at Walmart, Radio Shack, Best Buy or Amazon. They are easy to find and are the best investigation tool for the buck. It is pretty easy to capture EVPs. You won’t need any special practice or knowledge as you will with some cameras, this is the easy part of investigating.

There are a few blogs I have written that you can search on to get information on how to do an EVP session. That is a whole other blog. Just type EVP into the search box.

When you have a little cash and want quick results, the best way is a good voice recorder!

 Have fun investigating!

Peshaui Wequashimese

(C)2013 Dr R M Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.