Hmmm. I've always been interested in an afterlife. I see tons of evidence everywhere to convince me that there is an afterlife. Yet, I see tons of people still not convinced. I've always wanted to convince those people. Don't ask why, I don't even know myself. I guess it's more of an urge to prove that it exists more than it is just to convince them.

Anyhow, I want to do this VIA EVP, or "White Noise". I don't have the money for expensive equipment, nor do I have access to any haunted locations. I was just curious if anyone has any techniques to help catch possible EVPs through computers using a microphone and speakers. I'm also looking for any programs that will allow me to capture the sounds on my computer while I record the noises.

Something that MAY help, is that I have ventrilo. With ventrilo, I can have the help of friends. I've also heard that if you create an "infinite loop"(Which is possible on ventrilo using a friend) of noise, you can catch odd things. Not sure if this is a myth or not. But I'm just looking for a little bit of help with this.

There are two main problems with using a white noise source.

First, the human mind likes order. We don't do well with randomness or chaos. So our mind tries to make some kind of order out of randomness. And randomness is the basis for white noise. You hear the random noise and your minds tries to put some kind of order to it and you may ending hearing something that really isn't there.

Second, it's very difficult to filter out the white noise from your recording. It can be done with advanced sound software but not completely. And even then it requires very good skill with the software.

I've tried white noise and didn't like using it.

As for equipment, you really don't need to spend a lot. You can get an analog cassette records very cheap at Radio Shack. Also splurg on an external microphone. Doesn't have to be the greatest. Just something to get away from the mechanical noise produced by the recorder itself. But do spend the money on good quality new tapes (always use new).

Well, I'm pretty good at being objective about that kind of stuff. Besides from white noise, are there any other things I can do?

Not sure what kind of microphone I have, but it plugs into the USB slot... -shrugs-

It's not easy to use a computer to record EVPs. For one thing, even a laptop isn't very transportable to places EVPs are more likely to be.

As for decerning between noise and EVP, you need to use the skeptic test: Even if you think it's a good EVP, would it stand up to the scrutiny of a skeptic? (not that much will but does it have a leg to stand on?)

My wife is the ultimate skeptic. Yet even she has to admit that some of my EVP recording do have something unexplainable on them. For her that's a great admission!

I don't think it's necessary to have a noise source. I'd prefer to have a clean recording.

If you wind up going with a digital voice recorder, stay away from the ones by RCA. They're horrible. I have an Olympus that sounds immaculate and uploads recordings easily to the PC.

Don't bother with noise-canceling software that supposedly "cleans up" the recording. It just modulates the signal in complex ways and adds to the confusion. Make a clean recording in the first place, and noise will not be a problem.

As for being skeptical, I'm good at that. I don't read much into the type of EVP that is mostly noise. I'm looking more forward to the type of EVP where it seems the sounds or voices are actually interacting with your words or actions.

Still not exactly sure what I'm going to do. Would audio recordings from a Video Camera work? The one I have records everything onto a cassette.

Any sound recording device will do. Video recorders typically have pretty good sound quality.

Hmm. So do you have tips for actually setting things up and catching something? I know for sure just to make a little noise as possible. I don't even like the idea of whispering because it can later be confused as EVP. Only problem is, I don't know of any haunted locations. And I doubt visiting a random graveyard would do any good, though I'll probably try it anyway.

Graveyards are pretty quiet.

Just hit "record" and say you'd like to speak with an "evolved entity." Ask it questions. Leave space for answers. If there's such a thing as EVP, you should get something.

If you're in Louisiana, there should be no shortage of haunted locations, especially in South Louisiana. But I'd think you could go to any pleasant spot and try it. If you're in Baton Rouge, you could try the old or new State Capitol (especially the gardens at the new one), the park at the Centroplex, the Indian Mounds at LSU, Magnolia Mound plantation, Hill Memorial Library... or pick a quiet spot on the levee south of town.

Ditto on the Olympus digital recorders. Be sure to get the one with the USB connection. You can download the files as .wav to your PC.

Just go some place potentially haunted, turn on the recorder and start asking a series of questions like:

Is anyone here who wants to talk to me?
What is your name?
Are you alone?
How long have you been here?
Do you like that I am here?
Do you want me to leave?
Do you need my help?

Things like that. Give a good 20-30 seconds between questions for the entity to respond. Some people say not to mention death. The entity might not be aware of it being dead and may react violently (never seen it happen). Also, inspite of what they show on TV don't try to provoke it with threats or insults.

Find the most active place you can and good luck

good thought MP... the white noise generator acts much the way a fan does for those of us who continue to sleep with them all winter long, as a way to drown out external stimulous not encourage it......................B.

Psychology studies have shown people's minds try to make sense out of chaos. That's the basis of the classic ink blot test.

Don't have anything more to add to what's already been said, except for Good Luck, and I hope you will be able to share anything you catch with us here!

I'm an EVPer (conduct it frequently). Have all sorts of unexplained voices & sounds but have to tell you: The voices are not sure evidence of an afterlife. For all we know the voices come from people (or beings mimicking humans) speaking from higher dimensions ... could even be our own thoughts broadcast back to us. There's no clear evidence for an afterlife in EVP (nor do I see it anywhere else - I'm one of the people you'd have to convince).

That having been said, I agree about getting an Olympus recorder and turning the thing on. Just ask a few questions and wait for answers. You can do it in many locations. Graveyards are horrible places to record. The wind, the rustle of trees, traffic, birds, people who may show up, and so on. Untimately you want as much silence as you can get while recording. Especially since today's digital recorders are highly sensitive to surrounding noises. Forget you ever heard the wretched words "white noise". Any sort of noise (white or otherwise) spells disaster for confidentally discerning a clear EVP voice or noise.

I agree w not investing in "clean up" software or whatever. Just get good, loud EVPs and simply toss the weak or questionable ones out. It'll save memory in your computer too. You may have to try repeatedly ... or on first listen you might get something. Be aware of noises that occur during recording and make note of them so you don't think they're EVP later. Good luck.

Definately get a copy of Audacity. It's free and pretty good. Sound Soap from Bais is OK but geared more towards human sounds but can be helpful. Don't spend the money on Adobe Audition (formerly Cool Edit) unless you are real expert in using such software.

However, a pair of noise cancelling head phones is very helpful (worth the cost).

I've tried in vain many times to get someone from TAPS (Steve Gonsalves is supposed to be an expert) to give a lecture on using software to clean up EVPs. Maybe if more people bug them someone will finally do it!

Those tests are overrated. I've rarely met anyone who "reads too much" into something.


Also, you don't have to worry about me calling certain EVPs evidence when they are questionable. I think I have a "disorder" when it comes to that kind of stuff. When I'm conducting experiments personally, I have the most trouble convincing myself that it's "good enough". I'd make damn sure there were NO noises, NO one talking, no traffic, etc. Hell, I'd prolly even try not to think about much just in-case it actually is my thoughts being broadcasted.

I just need to find a haunted house, and get a recorder. Then I'll start recording EVPs. I can't promise anyone it'll be soon. But when I do, I'll return to this topic, even if it falls behind the 5th page.

Our brains making sense out of chaos is a fact that has been around for a long time, not just some 'over-rated' study by some 'scientists'.

LOL