EVP, or electronic voice phenomenon, is the
recording of what sounds like human speech, voices,
words or other unexplainable sounds onto audio
recording equipment. recording devices such as
analog and digital voice recorders, telephone
answering machines, etc. Many paranormal
researchers who study and investigate the
paranormal and supernatural believe that these
voices, that appear on this type of recording media
may be an attempt by a ghost, spirit or some other
paranormal entity to communicate with the living.
Many paranormal researchers also feel that EVP is
second only to a full bodied apparition, as the
Holy Grail of paranormal phenomena. The voices that
are recorded by this technique are generally not
heard by the human ear during the time the EVP are
being recorded, but are only heard during playback
or with the aid of computer amplifications or other
enhancements using audio editing software programs.
What the skeptics say
Some of the natural explanations for the EVP
phenomenon given by many skeptics and those
within the scientific community are that the
recorded voices are either the results of stray
radio frequencies, auditory pareidolia
(matrixing), or misinterpretation of the
background noise, hiss and static, or are the
result of an outright hoax, or fraud. Many of
these concerns have been addressed by EVP
researchers with experiments to shield the
recording devices from possible RF contamination,
which have been successful. Except for the
possibility of an outright hoax, which
unfortunately is always a possibility. But I do
believe that the vast majority of persons and
organizations that do this sort of research are
sincere in their desire to study EVP and how we
may communicate with those who have passed away
into the next stage of existence, whatever
that may be.
Classifications of EVP
The class A EVP is one that is most easily
understood by anyone who may listen to it, and it
is generally not subject to any disagreement. The
class A EVP need not necessarily be loud, but it
must be clear and easily understood, class A EVP is
generally considered the rarest and the most
difficult to obtain. Class A EVP also do not
require any amplification or modification by
computer editing software, to be understood.
The class B EVP is one that would be understood
by most everyone who may listen to it, but there
may be some disagreement and some may hear
something entirely different. The class B EVP may
also require some computer amplifications or
enhancements to be understood. Class B EVP are
usually the most commonly captured during an EVP
session.
The class C EVP is the worst and most difficult
to understand and it generally cannot be understood
by anyone. The only reason a paranormal researcher
or investigator would even consider it as an EVP is
because it sounds like a human voice mixed in with
the static, and background noise. It also cannot be
satisfactorily enhanced using computer technology
and is therefore unintelligible.
In my personal opinion, as one who used to be
rather skeptical of the paranormal but who now
leans more toward being a believer, is that EVP
offers the most compelling evidence for the
possible existence of ghosts, the paranormal and
the survival of our personalities after physical
death. I have personally heard many EVP, that I
believe to be very compelling.
Class A and perhaps some class B EVP offer the most
compelling evidence, as to the reality of the
paranormal. But in my view, the only time these
voices should be considered as any sort of evidence
of intelligence is if they make some sense of the
current situation and / or respond to direct
enquiries, otherwise they may be nothing more than
captured residual sounds or voices. But even if
these criteria are met and the EVP is supported as
something paranormal. It is still not, at least in
my opinion, conclusive proof of the existence of
ghosts or communication with an spirit or ghost,
but in my opinion most likely is.
My EVP Samples
I went out and bought myself an inexpensive digital
voice recorder and downloaded Audacity (a
freeware audio editing program) and attempted a few
EVP sessions in my own home. I was a bit surprised
when I actually captured, what I believe may have
been EVP clips, which you may listen to at the
bottom of this page. If you read the homepage on this site you'll
know that I do believe that my own home, just may
be haunted.
You are more than welcome to listen to these EVP
clips, perhaps you'll hear what I hear or
perhaps you'll hear something entirely
different, you may also need headphones and the
volume turned up a bit as some are rather soft. If
you hear something different please feel free to
contact me with your
opinion and the EVP clip number If you have done
any EVP recordings of your own and would like to
submit to this website please attach them to an
email and send them to this address webmaster@aformerskeptic.com.
I prefer they be in mp3 format, but I do have the
capability of converting them. . Please note that I
do not make any promises that I will put any
submitted EVP on this site. To listen to the EVP
clips just click on the title of the EVP.
This EVP sounds to me like a knocking sound
followed by "let me out" and then a
door creaking in the background. These sounds
were captured a my own home and there was no
doors closing at that time.
To me, this EVP sounds like "look up"
and what I find amazing is that I was
attempting to contact a deceased friend of mine
who once lived in my loft room.
This EVP was also captured in my kitchen. To me
it sounds like a female voice saying Athena.
Athena was a friend of my wife's and myself
who passed away New Years Eve 1999, and she was
very much loved by our family. I don't know
if this is her or not, but just hearing the
name brings up emotions.
I captured this EVP in my living room after
asking how many ghosts or entities were in my
home. To my daughter and myself it sounds like
seven to my wife is sounded like six, decide
for yourself.
This EVP was captured on the same session as
the "help me" and the
"seven". It was recorded just before
I turned the recorder off. I'm not 100
percent sure of sentence, but that's what
it sounds like to me.