EVP | Voices of the Dead
Ranked #2,505 in Culture & Society, #54,325 overall
Electronic Voice Phenomenon
Electronic Voice Phenomenon: Can We Hear Spirits?
The controversy of "ghost photographs" have many people searching for other methods that attempt to prove the existence of the afterlife. The most popular of these methods by far is Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP).
Most simply defined, EVP's are electronically generated sounds that seem to be voices. The theory is that the sounds are not heard at the time they were made, however when listened to through an audio device, they can be heard at the lowest point on the decibel level.
Much of it can be chalked up to sounds in the background, static, or sounds from radio transmissions, does that explain every EVP that has been captured?
The controversy of "ghost photographs" have many people searching for other methods that attempt to prove the existence of the afterlife. The most popular of these methods by far is Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP).
Most simply defined, EVP's are electronically generated sounds that seem to be voices. The theory is that the sounds are not heard at the time they were made, however when listened to through an audio device, they can be heard at the lowest point on the decibel level.
Much of it can be chalked up to sounds in the background, static, or sounds from radio transmissions, does that explain every EVP that has been captured?
Communication with Spirits
Through Electronic Means
Let's take a look at the history of studying communication with spirits through electronic means. During the Spiritualist movement, which started in the mid 1800's and continued through the 1920's, there were many theories presented about how spirits might choose to communicate. The development of photography begged the question... could spirits be caught on film?The invention of the phonograph in 1878 by a telegraph operator trying to improve transmissions (Thomas Edison), brought up another question... can spirits communicate through audio devices? There have been unsubstantiated reports that Edison may have experimented on a way to record the voices of the dead, but there is nothing concrete to show that it was any more than a passing interest of his.
Mediums during this time (and it should be noted that there were many charlatans during this period taking advantage of people's sorrow) began studying these new technologies, trying to incorporate them into their own communication with spirits from the grave. The early days of experimenting were not met with much success, however in the early 1940's, a photographer named Attila von Szalay was looking for a way to supplement his experimentation with capturing spirits in pictures.
Attila von Szalay EVP Experimentation
The American Society for Psychical Research
Attila von Szalay experimented with a 78 RPM phonograph, but didn't achieve what he believed to be results until 1956 with a reel to reel tape recorder. He and a man named Raymond Bayless began constructing a recording device from a microphone placed inside an insulated cabinet which connected to a recording device.Szalay and Bayless reportedly captured sounds that seemed to be voices speaking short phrases. Their work was examined and published by the American Society for Psychical Research in 1959.
That same year, Friedrich Jürgenson, a Swedish film producer, also captured what he believed was his deceased father's voice while recording nature sounds. He also believed he heard his wife's voice, who had also passed.
Konstantin Raudive
Amazing Experiment in Electronic Communication with the Dead
Although Spiritualism had died out, the fascination with communicating with the dead had not. Konstantin Raudive, a parapsychologist from Latvia, also claimed to have recordings of spirits, some of which were supposedly obtained in a controlled laboratory environment. The number he claimed to have gotten was astronomical... over 100,000 recordings of what he believed were spirits of the dead.Raudive published a book, "Breakthrough: An Amazing Experiment in Electronic Communication with the Dead" in 1968, with an English translation in 1971.
Experiment in Electronic Communication With the Dead
Konstantin Raudive
Breakthrough: An Amazing Experiment in Electronic Communication With the Dead
Check it out on Amazon
Check it out on Amazon
American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena
Since these first early experiments, EVP's have become a wide-spread interest of many who seek to communicate with those who have passed on.
In 1982, the American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena was formed by Sarah Estep, who also claims to have captured "hundreds of EVP's".
The association encourages the study and discussion of furthering Electronic Voice Phenomenon and how more people may be able to do this. Since then, many different societies have sprung up to investigate the mystery of EVP's.
American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena
In 1982, the American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena was formed by Sarah Estep, who also claims to have captured "hundreds of EVP's".
The association encourages the study and discussion of furthering Electronic Voice Phenomenon and how more people may be able to do this. Since then, many different societies have sprung up to investigate the mystery of EVP's.
American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena
EVPs Auditory Pareidolia?
It is important to note that nothing has been proven to say that these sounds captured on audio are, in fact, paranormal in nature.
It has been argued that EVP's are nothing more than auditory pareidolia, or matrixing nondescript sounds until the brain interprets it as a voice.
In the case of stray radio transmissions, it is simply a voice from another signal that is being picked up. However, can all EVP's be explained in this way?
"Pareidolia is a psychological phenomenon involving a vague and random stimulus (often an image or sound) being perceived as significant.
Common examples include seeing images of animals or faces in clouds, the man in the moon or the Moon rabbit, and hearing hidden messages on records played in reverse."
Source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareidolia
Conducting an EVP Session
The rise of paranormal reality shows has brought a heightened interest in EVP's. There are now many people who attempt to communicate with a recording device to see what can be heard later. In doing this, it is important to remember that digital recorders pick up absolutely every sound.Educate yourself on how different things sound on your recording device. A stomach rumble can sound like a growl, a sliding chair can be matrixed into a one syllable word, and background noises can be amplified to the point where they are much louder on tape.
When conducting an EVP session, announce time of day, date, conditions of the weather and barometric pressures, as this will be helpful when reviewing the evidence. Never whisper... if you must speak, use your normal tone of voice. A whisper by a human source may not be remembered, so all "living" voices must be announced and identified as not to cause confusion when listening later.
How To Record Your Own EVPs
In the field of paranormal investigation, one of the easiest and most effective methods of research involves the making of Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) recordings.
The basic concept behind EVP is that the spirits of those who have passed on through the process of death can utilize the electrical energy in a recording device to implant a message on the media that can be heard when it is played back.
Read the entire article:
How To Make Your Own EVP Recordings
EVP Lab 1.0
Failures & Success in Recording Electronic Voice Phenomenon.How I got started, what updated methods and equipment to use, along with a complete home and field EVP capture Guide.
Get EVP Lab 1.0 from Amazon.com
A Ghost Knows Me
My dad was sitting in a room and asking questions in the middle of an EVP session and caught a ghost saying my name. Even though I was is the kitchen and my dad was in the upstairs bathroom
Sent in by Erin
Sent in by Erin
Three Classes of EVPs
EVP's are divided into three classes. These are based on the quality of the recording and what is required to hear the sounds in question.
Class A EVP: Class A's can be heard by anyone listening without using sound amplification or editing of any kind. It comes through unassisted, and most who hear it should be able to agree on what is said or the sound made. These are the rarest EVP's and the ones that are the most compelling.
Class B EVP: This is the class that is most often heard. It is very low on the decibel level and cannot be determined what exactly is being said. With these EVP's, there will often be disagreement as to what is actually heard. They require some amplification to hear.
Class C EVP: These are extremely difficult to hear, even with sound enhancement. This type is more often than not thrown out by investigators as there are too many mitigating factors as to what it actually is.
Class A EVP: Class A's can be heard by anyone listening without using sound amplification or editing of any kind. It comes through unassisted, and most who hear it should be able to agree on what is said or the sound made. These are the rarest EVP's and the ones that are the most compelling.
Class B EVP: This is the class that is most often heard. It is very low on the decibel level and cannot be determined what exactly is being said. With these EVP's, there will often be disagreement as to what is actually heard. They require some amplification to hear.
Class C EVP: These are extremely difficult to hear, even with sound enhancement. This type is more often than not thrown out by investigators as there are too many mitigating factors as to what it actually is.
There is Much Left to Be Understood
Human beings have always been fascinated by what happens to the spirit at death, and most likely always will be.
There is a long way to go before we completely understand how it might be that a voice from beyond the grave actually vocalizes to the living. It may be that the future studies will find them to have yet another explanation.
The journey may not be over, but the study itself is a very valid one... and it is one that may point to even bigger phenomenon. However, the only way to know is to truly examine what it is that is being heard.
There is a long way to go before we completely understand how it might be that a voice from beyond the grave actually vocalizes to the living. It may be that the future studies will find them to have yet another explanation.
The journey may not be over, but the study itself is a very valid one... and it is one that may point to even bigger phenomenon. However, the only way to know is to truly examine what it is that is being heard.
Paranormal Investigation Techniques and Equipment
"More and more people are wanting to do their own paranormal investigating. The popularity of shows such as "Ghost Hunters" has everyone wanting to find their own proof of the paranormal. If one is seriously wanting to investigate a haunting, there are several things that are important to know... and many misconceptions that need to be clarified."
Excerpt from ~ Paranormal Investigation Techniques and Equipment
Pioneer Cemetary in Horseshoe Bend EVP
Hello, my names Jimmy. I'm 29 and I live in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. A week ago myself and my friends Josh and Kristina went to Pioneer Cemetary here in Horseshoe Bend at 11pm. I recorded a 30min clip, and a 2min clip using my LG Envy2 cellphone.
We got 11 clear EVP's. Kristina tried asking questions maybe 4 times the entire time we were there (35mins) and never got an answer to any of them. Instead it appeared the EVP's were simply spoken to us as if we could hear them but we did not hear any of these voices until we replayed it later. One EVP was simply boots walking on wood, then gravel, and then the sound of a door knob turning and a door opening...even though we were standing in a grass field.
The voices sometimes commented on our conversation, or was totally unrelated to anything, or seemed to be commenting on our equipment, and finally some that were talking to me, 1 specifically saying my name and speaking to me directly.
After we finished our adventure, I returned to my house with my friends and uploaded the sound files from my phone to my pc. The files were qcp so I got PureVoice and exported them as .wavs I then loaded those into Audacity. I listened to the clips, amplified the EVPs, and tried to export as mp3 but Audacity kept crashing or making files that didn't work. I then loaded the .wavs into Acid Pro 7 and exported them as mp3s. I still have the original files on my phone. Also the unamplified or converted PureVoice files. The EVPs can be heard on the original files still stored on my phone, so I know its not noise due to conversion or anything like that.
Some of the voices were down right creepy and sounded like the Mothman from the movie Mothman Prophecies. This voice said, "If you say more he won't put up a fight!" and also, "I hope it works with the lights on."
Another voice seemed to be telling us to take their picture because I was asking if anyone had flash on their phone. Everyone said no. Then an EVP of someone saying, "Camera here...Last Chance" is heard, directly after that I make the comment that we could be taking some weird photos right now if we had brought a camera.
Another said, "Pray for Us" or "Pray for Hush" and I do infact know someone whose name is Hush.
And finally 2 evps of the same voice moments before we left the cemetary telling us to go back. One said, "Don't touch it...Go Back!" and then in the parking lot right before I turned off the phone, the same voice saying "Jimmy...Go...Back...Right...Now!" and its saying it in a very demanding voice.
We are still puzzled as to if they meant Go Back as in go back home? Or to go back to a specific section of the cemetary.
If you'd like to hear these I can send you the unedited wav clips or the individual mp3s amplified. They were not changed in anyway other than amplification. I also made a short video of the EVPs and posted it on YouTube.
We got 11 clear EVP's. Kristina tried asking questions maybe 4 times the entire time we were there (35mins) and never got an answer to any of them. Instead it appeared the EVP's were simply spoken to us as if we could hear them but we did not hear any of these voices until we replayed it later. One EVP was simply boots walking on wood, then gravel, and then the sound of a door knob turning and a door opening...even though we were standing in a grass field.
The voices sometimes commented on our conversation, or was totally unrelated to anything, or seemed to be commenting on our equipment, and finally some that were talking to me, 1 specifically saying my name and speaking to me directly.
After we finished our adventure, I returned to my house with my friends and uploaded the sound files from my phone to my pc. The files were qcp so I got PureVoice and exported them as .wavs I then loaded those into Audacity. I listened to the clips, amplified the EVPs, and tried to export as mp3 but Audacity kept crashing or making files that didn't work. I then loaded the .wavs into Acid Pro 7 and exported them as mp3s. I still have the original files on my phone. Also the unamplified or converted PureVoice files. The EVPs can be heard on the original files still stored on my phone, so I know its not noise due to conversion or anything like that.
Some of the voices were down right creepy and sounded like the Mothman from the movie Mothman Prophecies. This voice said, "If you say more he won't put up a fight!" and also, "I hope it works with the lights on."
Another voice seemed to be telling us to take their picture because I was asking if anyone had flash on their phone. Everyone said no. Then an EVP of someone saying, "Camera here...Last Chance" is heard, directly after that I make the comment that we could be taking some weird photos right now if we had brought a camera.
Another said, "Pray for Us" or "Pray for Hush" and I do infact know someone whose name is Hush.
And finally 2 evps of the same voice moments before we left the cemetary telling us to go back. One said, "Don't touch it...Go Back!" and then in the parking lot right before I turned off the phone, the same voice saying "Jimmy...Go...Back...Right...Now!" and its saying it in a very demanding voice.
We are still puzzled as to if they meant Go Back as in go back home? Or to go back to a specific section of the cemetary.
If you'd like to hear these I can send you the unedited wav clips or the individual mp3s amplified. They were not changed in anyway other than amplification. I also made a short video of the EVPs and posted it on YouTube.
powered by Youtube
EVP Stories
At TrueGhostTales.com new stories are added daily.
Here are just the newest additions in the Electronic Voice Phenomenon section:
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAre EVPs the Voices of the Dead?
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Can the Dead Communicate with the Living?
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Ghost Photography
Ghost and spirit photography is something people use to attempt to prove the existence of the afterlife.
Ghost Stories!
Bloody Mary
The Truth Behind the Legend
EVP: Electronic Voice Phenomenon:
Massachusetts Ghostly Voices
Get EVP: Electronic Voice Phenomenon: Massachusetts Ghostly Voices from amazon.com True Ghost Tales Facebook fan Page!
Facebook Fan box widget may not always appear in the Workshop. Please preview or publish your lens to see the widget.
Electronic Voice Phenomenon from Google Search
- Ghostly findings in need of more investigation
- Four separate electronic voice phenomena, or audio recordings of potential spirits and paranormal activity, were picked up by the devices, according to TRIP They ranged from a loud banging noise in the 1857 log cabin and unexplained whistle to the ...
- Paranormal Activity
- ... as always) and you have intelligent haunting(when the spirit world is trying to communicate with you,like grabbing on to your clothes or hair or something or making a noise right there in the moment or caught as an Electronic voice phenomena (EVP)!
- Community Calendar
- TnT will also discuss orbs, light anomalies, matrixing, electronic voice phenomenon and disembodied voices, EMF and temperature fluctuations and ghost photography. Saturday Storytime for kindergartners through second-graders at 11 am Saturdays through ...
- Community Calendar
- TnT will also discuss orbs, light anomalies, matrixing, electronic voice phenomenon and disembodied voices, EMF and temperature fluctuations and ghost photography. Saturday Storytime for kindergartners through second-graders at 11 am Saturdays through ...
Electronic Voice Phenomenon Links
- Electronic voice phenomenon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Electronic voice phenomena (EVP) are electronically generated noises that resemble speech, but are not the result of intentional voice recordings or ...
- EVP - Electronic Voice Phenomenon
- Electronic voice phenomena (EVP) are recordings of voice or voice-like sounds that are not audible to the human ear. Whatever it is that causes these voice imprints onto electronic media, be they ghosts, spirits, aliens (or even demons), the fact is that EVP's are real.
- electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) - The Skeptic's Dictionary - Skepdic.com
- Electronic voice phenomenon is the alleged communication by spirits through tape recorders and other electronic devices. The belief in EVP ...
- Hell's Church Cemetery EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) Recording
- Canton, GA. There is an old church and cemetery down the street from my house. It is known as Hell's Church. Built in the 1800's and burnt down in 1990 by vandals. It has since been re-built. Believed to be a place of devil worshiping. There are two huge oak tree's that are known as " The hanging trees"where people were hung.
- Memorial Park, Rockport Texas EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) Recording
- Here are three different EVPs. I believe hands down that you will clearly here my name (Anna) on about 3 seconds. I had to cut the recording to the event because our recordings last hours. However I still have the full recordings and if anyone asks to hear my husband's voice to make sure it wasn't made up, I can do that too. On this evp........
The Paranormal Store
Help support our website by purchasing your paranormal related books from:
The True Ghost Tales Paranormal Book Store
Shop with confidence with our Amazon.com partnership
The Lensmaster
Join me on Facebook ~ http://www.facebook.com/trueghosttales
Visitor Comments and Feedback
Post your comments here. Let us know what you think or just stop in and say hello!
submit
-
Reply
-
clembob
Dec 17, 2010 @ 3:55 pm | delete
- Amaszing stuff!
-
Earn Money at Home
Make money with your computer!
If you enjoy sharing your opinions about things then why not get paid for it?EarnMoneyAtHome.info connects you with companies that will pay you to complete opinion surveys about consumer products and services. There is absolutely no cost to join - this is 100% free - You will be the one who makes money!
If you have been looking for a legitimate way to make some extra money online this website DOES have the real thing; Companies that will pay you by check or PayPal for participating in consumer polls.
Electronic Voice Phenomenon Index
- Share this Page with Your Friends
- Communication with Spirits
- Attila von Szalay EVP Experimentation
- Konstantin Raudive
- Experiment in Electronic Communication With the Dead
- American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena
- EVPs Auditory Pareidolia?
- Conducting an EVP Session
- EVP Lab 1.0
- A Ghost Knows Me
- Three Classes of EVPs
- There is Much Left to Be Understood
- Paranormal Investigation Techniques and Equipment
- Pioneer Cemetary in Horseshoe Bend EVP
- EVP Stories
- Are EVPs the Voices of the Dead?
- Can the Dead Communicate with the Living?
- EVP Videos
- Ghost Photography
- Ghost Stories!
- Bloody Mary
- EVP: Electronic Voice Phenomenon:
- True Ghost Tales Facebook fan Page!
- Electronic Voice Phenomenon from Google Search
- Electronic Voice Phenomenon Links
- The Paranormal Store
- The Lensmaster
- Visitor Comments and Feedback
- Earn Money at Home
- Copyright Information
Copyright Information
Content on this page was written for us by Angela Sangster and is Copyright 2010 TrueGhostTales.com
Images are assumed to be in the public domain. If a mistake has been made contact me and I will remove or credit the image.
by TrueGhostTales
TrueGhostTales
See all our lenses ~ especially read the one about the ouija board.
- 24 featured lenses
- Winner of 12 trophies!
- Top lens » Freakiest Ouija Board Stories Ever
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Freakiest Ouija Board Stories Ever Freakiest Ouija Board Stories Ever
- Imaginary Friend or Ghost? Imaginary Friend or Ghost?
- The Alien and UFO Factor The Alien and UFO Factor
- Do Ghosts Exist? Do Ghosts Exist?
- Psychic Communication With the Dead Psychic Communication With the Dead
- Urban Legends Urban Legends
Ghost Space
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGhost Stories
New Ghost Stories Every Day!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMore Spooky Stuff!
