Audio Equipment
This is an ongoing list of audio equipment needed for ghost hunters and paranormal investigations. Most of these little toys are used for Instrumental Transcommunication, or E.V.P. We have pages for both of those things here on The Beyond, so if you’re interested…
Click Here to check out our Instrumental Transcommunication (I.T.C.) page.
We have quite a few pages based on Electronic Voice Phenomena (E.V.P.). If you’re interested, click here to give it a look!
Recorders
Cassette Tape Recorder
There is an ongoing debate on which is better to use for E.V.P, the digital or analog. I’ve found them both to work. This isn’t an exact science, so regardless of claims to the contrary, NOBODY really knows which is more susceptible to otherworldly sounds. They are sold in most department stores for anywhere between 15 and 30 bucks. They have a built-in microphone, but because it records the sounds its own motors, you should ALWAYS use an external microphone.
Micro-Cassette Recorder
This is basically the same thing as the one above. The only difference is it’s a hell of a lot smaller. Its cassette tapes are smaller as well. It is NOT digital and will also require an external microphone to record E.V.P.’s properly. Like the one above, you’ll need an extension headphone cord to transfer your data to your computer. You can buy micro-cassette recorders in the same locations as other recorders, but because of their compact size, the price can be a little higher. They’re usually between 20 and 40 bucks.
Digital Recorder
In recent years, digital recorders have become very popular amongst ghost hunters instead of cassette recorders. They are sold wherever the analog recorders are sold, and come in a variety of different name brands. The amount of recordable space is also variable, and directly related to the price. If you intend to buy one for E.V.P, you want to make sure that you get one with a USB attachment for your computer so you can easily transfer your data to your hard drive. They run anywhere between 30 and 150 dollars.
Minidisc Player
Some investigators like minidisc players because of the ability to save their audio directly to discs, and have an ongoing library of files for reference & analysis. If you decide to go this route, you want to make sure that the device has either a built-in microphone, or a microphone jack so you can record to the discs. Most of the tasks that minidisc players can preform can also be preformed by regular digital recorders at a fraction of the price. Amazon is your friend, but these run anywhere from 150 to 400 bucks!
Microphones
Unidirectional/Omni-Directional Microphone
For analog recording, an external microphone is a MUST. With the popularity of karaoke, you can buy microphones everywhere. Unidirectional microphones will take sound from only one direction, and omni-directional microphones can hear sounds from all directions. Any microphone will do, but omni-directional is naturally much better for the work that we’re doing. I saw one made by Magnavox the other day at K mart. It was only 10 bucks, and had a frequency response as low as 80Hz!
Low Frequency Microphone
The frequency response on most microphones in the above category start above 100Hz. That sucks because many investigators have reported that a lot of their best E.V.P.’s fall within the 20 to 40Hz range. Low frequency mics can be expensive and often in the hundreds of dollars. Drummers tend to use them, so you might want to check a music store, and they can be bought online. Make sure you shop around to find the lowest frequency response at the lowest price. You might be able to get a good deal.
Directional Microphone & Sound Amplifier
This is an experimental device. There are a lot of different types that can be bought, most of which have an omni-directional microphone with a removable dish for direction. Some use it to attempt ‘real time’ conversation with a ghost. None of that has been proven, but it can be useful for recording E.V.P. It can also be used along side other recorders to help detect false positives. All in all, if you have an imagination, it can be a useful tool. You can get a cheap one at a toy store for about 30 bucks. More expensive ones run in the hundreds.
Ear-2000 Surface Mic
I haven’t heard of anyone aside from myself doing any sort of experimentation with something like this, but I thought I’d put it up here anyway. This little toy is designed to convert minute vibrations to voice band audio that can be received by headphones or a recording device. If you set it down, even on a carpeted floor, you can hear a pin drop on the other side of the room. If you’re interested in getting one, and can find one, this one was about 300 dollars. I’ve heard they’re not manufacturing them anymore, but you may be able to find one.
Random Other Shit
Headphone Cable
As stated before, most audio recorders don’t have a USB connector for the computer, so using this is the only way to record your audio onto the computer. We’ve written a tutorial to show you how to do that. To read it, click the ‘Transfer Guide’ button. The cable can be bought in most places that sell electronics. In most cases, you’ll want to buy one that has that has a male 1/8th inch plug at each end. These usually cost around 5 dollars.
Cassette Tapes
Cassette tapes are needed for your analog cassette recorders, for those of you who are too young to remember the 80’s. You don’t want to go cheap on these things. ALWAYS buy name brands. Also, because of ‘bleed-over’, it’s wise to only use only ONE SIDE of each tape. For the same reason, you should NEVER reuse the same tape. You’re gonna go through a lot of them which can be expensive. They’re available for regular, and micro-cassette recorders in most department stores for only a few bucks.
Mini Discs
They’re a digital media pretty much just like a regular compact disc. These go with the minidisc players. Many people will tell you that they’re similar to cassette tapes, and that you should not reuse them after you’ve already recorded on them. I agree and disagree. I see no point in them if you’re going to reuse them. I see them more for archiving data as opposed to hunting. At the same time, reusing them isn’t even close to an issue compared to cassette tapes. As technology moves ahead, minidiscs, and minidisc players are becoming less available. You can still find them on Amazon as low as 20 bucks for 5 discs.
Headphones
You get what you pay for. You can go to a dollar store, and get a pair for 99 cents, or you can go crazy, and spend a few hundred dollars on a pair that’s bigger than your head. Truth is, it’s all up to you, but being the opinionated jerk that I am, I do have a suggestion. Don’t go really cheap with this one. E.V.P.’s are usually very faint, and you’re going to want a large pair to cover your ears completely to keep outside noises from getting in the way. I wouldn’t buy a piece of crap, but I’d be content to spend less than 100 bucks.
Headphone Amplifier
These things can be bought in most places where electronics, and other audio equipment are sold. They cost anywhere between 10 to 50 dollars. The most common brand name for them is ‘Boostaroo‘. They can be useful for listening to your audio, and some have attempted to use them for ‘real time’ communication with the Beyond. They amplify the sound that’s already coming through your headphones by a few decibels.
White Noise Generator
Many people believe that spirits need a constant flow of noise to draw from so they can make sounds of their own for you to record. It hasn’t been proven, which keeps this in the very experimental stage. It functions above a 300Hz frequency, which gives it another use. If it’s true that spirits operate on a very low frequency, then you can turn the volume up to drown out all sounds above the 300Hz range. Afterwards, just filter out the white noise. There are a lot of different types out there. The one pictured to the left is a 300 dollar model. However, if you have the means to take a computer into the field, I’d try MyNoise.net! Hell, you can even use a digital recorder, record the noise, and play it back on a loop. Very useful website.
Computer
Computers are a must in pretty much every aspect of modern paranormal investigation, ESPECIALLY in the audio part of it. They are necessary for running programs to filter your E.V.P. files to make them clear to understand them. There are other uses as well, from multi track recording directly to your hard drive, to storing your audio for later use.
Software
Audacity
Audacity is probably the most popular audio editing and filtering program used in the field. The reason for this is because it’s 100% free! For being free, it’s pretty damn useful. View our ‘Audacity Tutorial‘ read the page that I wrote to help you out with the program. If you want to download Audacity for free, click here!
Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition is considered by many investigators to be the ‘be all-end all’ of audio filtering and editing software. At one time it was called ‘Cool Edit Pro’ until it was bought out by Adobe and now it costs an arm and a leg. Still, it’s one of, if not THE best audio program out there. I’ve written a tutorial to teach you the basics of how to use it. Just click here to read it. If you want to download this program directly from Adobe as a subscription at $240 per year… Pretty steep if you ask me. Visit the Adobe Website if you feel like it.
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