What in your opinion is the best recorder for EVP work in the paranormal?

Question

I am curious as to what models of recorders have turned out well for everyone with EVP or Electronic Voice Phenomenon. We all have heard about the amazing results with the Panasonic RR-DR60 but they are near impossible to find. My team prefers the Olympus W-10 or Sony ICD recorders. Any suggestions regarding new recorders to check out and use in the field?

Answer 1

It all depends on what you expect. First of all, to ensure the best possible quality of your EVP you'll want a stabilized external microphone. The clip-on's are okay, but you'll find your clothing or hand will make a lot of noise. The best are sturdy external microphones (look more like a computer mic or professional mic) with a noise reducer (the foam thing to block out wind). I personally have experimented with cassette, microcassette, digital, and USB digital recorders. My personal favorite, more so because it is easy to use, is the USB digital recorders that you can plug right into the computer. Mine is an RCA I picked up at Walmart, and I took it to Alcatraz and got a great EVP on it so I'm quite satisfied. In my professional opinion, I have gotten more EVP's on cassette and microcassette, but of course it could be that unlike digital recorders, these don't have the fancy-smancy technology to cancel out noises below a certain level. Finally, you may want to give some consideration to the recorders (most often cassette) that allow you to record and listen simultaneously. These are amazing to watch in action; I used one at Moundsville prison and we were able to ask continuous questions as we were getting responses - and our questions became tailored to the responses. It's truly mind-blowing, but a more expensive technology (cheaper than a Frank's box, though!). Good luck!

Answer 2

I like the whole Olympus line of recorders, they have one for just about any price range.  I think the most important features to look for are ease of use in play back mode.  The cheaper models make it harder to got back to a specific spot in the play back.

Answer 3

I have a Panasonic but not the model mentioned.  I have never used it in paranormal investigations but I already favor it for one reason:  It has a USB connection for uploading audio files, which will cut the amount of time uploading and listening to EVPs down drastically.  I have another digital recorder made by RCA that the only way I can upload it to the computer is using a cord plugged into the earphone jack of the recorder, and into the microphone jack of the computer.  The only problem is this creates a bit of hissing, so in some cases it may be harder to distinguish EVPs from regular "white noise."

One thing I plan to do later on is buy a set of headphones to plug into the recorder, preferably stereo headphones with a long cord.  I can set the recorder on a table or in a small container on the ground if I'm outside.  This way, I can hear the EVPs "live" as they are being recorded, and I can make notes as to what sounds the recorder pick up I may not hear otherwise.

Also, I have tried using an external microphone in the past, but have not had much luck with it.  The internal microphone on most models is more sensitive.

If you set the sensitivity level of the microphone to the highest setting, and to "conference" or "meeting", you should get better results.  I set it to "conference" or "meeting" because it makes the microphone a bit more powerful than in "dictation" mode, and far-away voices, whether from other investigators or spirits, will tend to sound more clearer.

Answer 4

you can use anything you want to i used a old tape recorder and it picked up some noises in a empty house,

Answer 5

The reason why the RR-DR60 is favored among ghost hunters is because it happens to be a bit noisy, electronically speaking. That is, it will produce audible artifacts in the recording, and those are seized upon as ostensible EVPs. That model has been discontinued, by the way.

The W-10 is good that it records in uncompressed WAV format, but is samples only at 15.5 kHz. In contrast, the Olympus WS-100 (I have one) records in compressed WMA format but samples at CD quality, 44 kHz. Which is better? You may get differing opinions, but I sure hear a bigger difference between 44 kHz and 16 kHz recordings than I do between WAV and WMA formats. Also, the WS-100 records longer at high quality than the W-10 and features a direct USB plug in.

I would recommend doing some research on the key quality attributes you should be considering, and then get the cleanest, most high-precision recorder and microphone combination you can afford. And don't skimp on the microphone, because the quality of the recording starts there. I'm not a believer in EVPs at all, but if you're going to do it, use equipment that is least likely to give you false positives.

Other more obvious tips: (1) don't hold the recorder or microphone while you're using it, (2) and turn off the automatic recording volume feature.

Answer 6

There is sooo much truth in what TR is saying.

I use an Olympus DS 30 it came with an external mic.

It is not the absolute best but it doesn't have much internal

noise and seems to make some pretty clear recordings.

This is the best that I could afford at the time .

From Ebay about  $60 from Olympus itself $150

Answer 7

I have an olympus4100 recorder that is very clear and picks up extremely well.  I has an extermal jack for a mic.  Very small and compact.  The downside is that it does not have a usb plug in.  It was a gift, and sometimes it is best to be humble and just say thank you even if it isn't the one you wanted.  But if this one is any indication, any olympus model should be good.

Answer 8

A lot of people insist on recorders that use physical tape. but I think and decent digital recorder with an external microphone would work well

Answer 9

I've got an Olympus.  Its good quality and on the cheap side.  Most of my team has different models of this brand just for above stated reasons.  

I can't tell you the "best".  But when it comes to price, I would suggest the Olympus.  Around 30 bucks, good for recording (though I would suggest an external omnidirectional mic for any recorder) and it always helps to get something like that on the cheap, because lets face it, this isn't exactly the cheapest "hobbie".