What are some false positives for EVP?

Question

Alright, so EVP = ghosts, but not necessarily. I am a paranormal investigator and I am compiling a list of false positives and known, environmental phenomena. I do know some ways a non-anomalous phenomenon can appear anomalous when recorded, but I would like input from anyone even if it is stating the obvious.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I am sorry to be so vague here, but *any* anomaly identified as an EVP is a false positive.

I am not suggesting you do this, but I know many P.I.s manipulate EVPs to render a clearer message.  This is obviously poor practice and should always be avoided.  Manipulating so much as the volume could be considered tampering, and therefore corrupting, any auditory artifact.

Auditory pareidolia, a phenomenon that affects everyone differently, creates a speed bump when evaluating EVPs.  If you *want* to hear something you probably will, so it's important to do your best to remain objective.

I know it may seem a bit cumbersome, but you can avoid many anomalous EVP readings by using a tripod or by avoiding personal contact with the recording device itself.  Also, wear cotton or non-abrasive clothing so as to avoid rustling.

Answer 2

the sensitivity level your recording at will generate more or less "false" readings. I see people running around with sound amplifiers. Not good, these can pick up voices from miles away and through solid brick walls. the environment can do the same. weather and wind conditions can also play a factor. wind movements and desity can bring in voices again, from miles away. The only real EVPs are ones that answer your quesions directly when asked, or deal directly with you or your group. Everything else would be considered a false positive. noise, random words and phrases are just some to mention. As i said, only EVPs that answer your questions directly or say something in relationship to you or your group could be considered actual EVPs. Also the use of digital or taped recordings will also matter, since tapes are not secure and are subject to magnetic fields changing the tapes quality as your recording. I only use digital.

Answer 3

Radio waves, talking coming through the pipes on another floor. But this cannot explain the chills you get when you hear the voice to begin with. When you hear something other worldly one usually experiences the sudden coldness as they recognize the source. oh, and alot of times there are open cracks in the buildings so that you can actually hear street noise loud and clear.

Answer 4

There are so many radio signals out there any more how could anyone be sure that EVP's are not just random waves being picked up.  Any device with a diode can be a detector of radio signals.  If you have a radio frequency spectrograph you can see that there is very little radio frequencies not being used today.  There has to be some interference going on with digital  and analog recorders. It may not explain all EVP's away, but at least some.

Answer 5

In this instance I do agree with gsi_joe, and I couldn't agree more with Peter. If you are physically holding your recording device, your EVPs are worthless, period. If your stomach is rumbling, your EVPs are worthless. If your shoes are making barely perceptible scraping or brushing sounds on the floor, your EVPs are worthless. If your breathing is audible, your EVPs are worthless. The list goes on and on.

If the idea of a ghost making conversation isn't fantastic enough, how absurd is it to start manipulating the recording to try to squeeze out something that can be interpreted as an English word?  Some EVPers apply frequency filters, speed up or slow down the recording, even reverse it!  Why in the world would a ghost be talking in reverse? Just to be funny? Some EVPers apply noise reduction with the best intentions, but even this can easily create artifacts in the recording.

EDIT: Sorry, I'm trying to understand your specific question. Technique is of course highly relevant to recording of EVPs, which is why I went into it. But you're asking for other environmental influences besides bad recording technique that might explain an EVP recording? Well, if it's a Class B or Class C recording, paraeidolia is all you need to say. If it's a Class A, I'd be looking into any kind of radio transmissions, including ham, cb, even baby monitors! I'd also look into the possibility of unerased tapes. Always use new tapes. Don't use the reverse side of a tape assuming it's empty, either. On some tape recorders I've owned I've noticed that if I'm playing a blank tape with the other side already holding a recording, I can hear the other side of the tape (in reverse) if I crank up the volume to max. This might explain some EVPs obtained by reversing the audio.

Even if you're using a digital recorder, always erase before recording over, just to be sure. That's easy to do and confirm using the voice recorders that interface directly with your computer via USB.

IF -- you were in a shielded and sound-proofed room such that no radio signals or sounds from the outside could get it, and your recorder and recording medium were checked and double-checked for proper operation and integrity, and controls were imposed so that no sounds were being made inside the room, AND you still recorded a Class A EVP -- then you'd have my interest!

Answer 6

People whispering, people talking in another room, traffic, coughing, wind, your hand rubbing the recorder, animals.  Almost any sound recorded that was not noted during the recording can later on be mistaken for a voice