E.V.P.

E.V.P which is short for electronic voice phenomena, is one of the fastest growing methods of paranormal research and is in fact in my opinion one of the best ways to gather evidence. To do an evp session is as simple as turning an audio recorder on and walking away. Even though it can be that simple that is not the way a great deal of researchers, myself included, do it. This article will be a look at how DPRT handles evp work in the field.

First off, what is evp? We have discussed the meaning but not the definition. For those who do not know evp is the result of a ghost or entity imprinting it’s voice on audio devices either by speaking or using a form of PK to actually imbed it’s voice on the audio recorder. While still being considered a new form of gathering evidence evp has been around for ages and will continue to be a heavy part of our field.

How does one gather such evidence? That is easy. We will reveal how we do it here in DPRT cases. What we first must do is ensure new batteries in a recorder. Old batteries can cause static playbacks and other audio anomalies that are anything but paranormal. Next every case requires it’s own tape(s). This cuts back on mistakes with listening. After these precautions are made you are ready to handle the session. What we do is ask a question aloud and wait a few seconds before asking another question. What this does is give time for the entity being questioned to respond. If you blaze through and leave no space, you are not going to get any responses and even if you did your own voice would negate the evidence.

By now you are probably wondering what questions to ask, right? Well that will come in a little bit, first lets look at some keys to a successful and stress free listening later on. Any time another researcher enters the room in which you are conducting an evp session it is best that you make a note on the recording that they have. That way any stepping sounds or noises attributed to them do not get labeled paranormal when really they are not. You also want to make notes on the device of any sounds you hear that are natural or unnatural as the tape may or may not pick them up as well. If you get cold chills or feelings while doing evps make a note on the recorder as these may be signs of a presence.

Those are a few simple rules that will help you but now what to do about which questions to ask? Generally each researcher has a set of questions they ask, but a great deal of these questions are more common and thus used by a lot of teams in the field. The way you ask questions is important as well. You want to be clear and articulate but also calm. Talk to the entity like you would any living being, and show respect. This entity will not respond if you are rude or degrading to it. So should we move on to the questions?

This is a list of some questions that are commonly used. First cue the tape. Tell who you are and where you are at time of evp.

Questions

1. Is there anyone here who would like to speak with me?
2. Can I have your name?
3. How old are you?
4. What is your occupation?
5. Are you aware of your state? (this question is vital as the entity may not be aware it is dead and this will not indicate that state of being and confuse the entity)
6. How long have you been in this location? (home, or graveyard, etc)
7. Can I take your picture?
8. Why do you stay here?
9. Are you offended by our presence?
10. If you can would you make a sound or knock to let us know you are here?
11. Do you have family near by?
12. Can we talk with you again at a later time?

While not a full list this is enough to get you started. As you go you will get more comfortable and the questions will flow better and you will get used to the routine. These questions are just a guideline and you can always work with them or your own and get results. Now lets move on to the fun part, the playback.

I find it best to listen using one of two ways. 1. Headphones to block out outside noise or 2. Using my computer with audio recording software set ready to record any anomalies. In DPRT’s case we use the free program audacity which is amazing and well worth any donations you can give the creators of the program. You are going to want to keep your surroundings quite and really focus on the tape but the trick is to not try and hear but to actually hear. If you try to hard every noise will strike you as signs of activity so be careful to not force yourself to hear anything in the recordings.

Rule out everything. Always be ready to think back on where you were at the time of the recording as well as were anyone else there was that way you know they were not the source of any sounds heard on the tape. It is vital that you rule any natural source out before assuming paranormal activity to be the cause. Some sources are appliances kicking on, old vents, the wind, and one of the oddest we ever had a dog snoring, lol. You have to really be able to listen with a keen ear and try to debunk any thing you find before accepting it as paranormal. Also be weary of people who would create fake evps by talking in unseen locations on hunts. Some clients will go to great lengths to convince you their home is haunted.

When you get an evp you will usually get a response to a question. This is amazing evidence as it cannot be attributed to stray radio waves because a specific answer is wanted and received. EVPs are classified in 3 broad categories for the most part.

Class C- which is a faint whispery voice that is barely heard even when using headphones and amplification from software.

Class B- these evps are louder, a little more clearer than the class Cs, and can be heard without the aid of amplification or headphones.

The last class are researcher’s prides, that being class A- Class A evps are clear and understandable without aide of headphones or amplification. These evps can be transferred to other tapes without quality degrading and are easily understood.

Most commonly you will be dealing with class B evps. This is because it takes a great deal of energy for spirits to manifest, even vocally. The evp work can be a vital part of an investigation because you can learn more about the ghosts and why it is there. DPRT usually have 2 or 3 recorders at every location and we do our best to cover all grounds.

Specialty questions: Some cases require questions more attuned to the case. We recently did a cemetery that was underneath an old church. I added the question how does it make you feel that a church was built over your resting site to the list. These cases really push the researcher to be creative and ask questions that will have a better impact and possible yield better results on playback.

I hope to have opened you up a little more to evp and how they are carried out. Look for follow up articles on this matter in the near future.