RecorderEVP (electronic voice phenomenon) has long been the subject of fierce debate. Indeed, the prospect of voices spontaneously appearing on a recording without audible indicators is interesting to say the least! Some argue that Stochastic Resonance causes the voices to become audible. Others claim that these disembodied voices are imprinted directly to the recording medium or are directly influencing a microphone or other input device. Yet despite all of the theories, few researchers (sometimes this term is to be used rather loosely) are designing experiments and circumstances to gain better direction for further experiments.

 For instance, one may argue that voices are imprinted directly to tape (analog). In this scenario, an experiment could be devised that includes two recording devices. The first device (an analog tape recorder) could use as the input a microphone. Then, a second recording device (perhaps a digital recorder or minidisc) could be connected to the output (or monitor) of the first recorder. At the start of recording, a bell or other indicator is sounded to establish a common timebase. Then, any voices that appear on the analog recording could be cross-referenced with the digital. If it is found that the digital recording contains the same voices in the same places, one could begin to rule out the possibility of voices being imprinted directly to magnetic media (the minidisc, after all is optical).

This is just an example of how we could begin to narrow our research direction. Many other can be devised, and I most assuredly welcome your input and suggestions! I am currently working on aparatus to aid in the research of ‘natural’ EVP (that is, not ITC). Stay tuned, as I will post some details of the new equipment soon!!

Thanks for visiting,

James “Cap’n” Casper