The recorder is such a staple piece of equipment for paranormal researchers. We use it as a form of corroborative equipment in tandem with multiple other pieces of equipment in the event that we do capture something compelling that we can't explain.
Buying the right microphone for the task can be daunting. Most recorders are used in film production or for transcribing class notes, so they're designed to focus on the big sound, and not the little ones "spirits" could potentially (theoretically) make.
So which ones are great for catching EVPs?
We've got 3 recommendations that won't break the bank, and which offer much more personalization than the average mic. These recorders won't filter out small 'background sounds' or whispering. They're more sensitive and capture a wider frequency range than most, while still delivering really great quality sound.
Sony ICD- PX470 - $72
Typically Sony and Olympus are the recognized brands for paranormal research fields, since they offer that unfiltered sensitivity. This recorder goes above and beyond at an unparalleled price point. It contains all the necessary features for properly capturing EVPs.
Relevant features:
Option to cancel noise reduction
Option to cancel focus function
Offers PCM uncompressed format
Option to cancel voice recognition
Easy rewind and pitch slowing
high-sensitivity, low-noise S-microphone
So let's break some of that down. Noise reduction is a function that 'cleans up' background noise - we don't want that. The focus function is going to focus in and amplify a big voice so it's harder to catch little ones - we don't want that. It allows us to choose the frequency range and "mode" so we don't centralize any specific sound while drowning out others.
PCM and WAV are uncompressed formats that often capture more than MP3 or WMA formats; this recorder offers both PCM and MP3 (you'd select PCM). Voice recognition is going to reduce anything that doesn't register as [living] human frequency - which we don't want. This recorder also makes it easy to rewind and fast-forward so you can review things easily and slow them down. The microphone itself is highly sensitive and capable of capturing incredibly subtle sounds as long as all settings are programmed to allow it.
It's voted 4.6/5 online and we give it 5/5! You can find it here.
Tascam DR-05X - $139
This Tascam recorder is a show-off piece, more than qualified for the job. It's an expert-level piece of equipment with a novice price tag (though a bit more than the Sony). It's highly sensitive and extremely decorated with a variety of user-friendly functions we can't even begin to simplify.
Here are the relevant features:
Contains dual internal stereo omnidirectional condenser microphones to capture sound from all directions
Captures frequencies within a huge range in perfect detail
Jump back function/slow
WAV format
This mic will capture anything coming from anywhere, even the afterlife. The sound is going to be crystal clear for those who dream of Class A EVPs.
It's voted 4.3/5 online and we'd give it an 8/5 if we could. Find it here.
Zoom H1N - $160
This recorder is also completely extra. It's just insanely versatile and sensitive, with such high quality audio. By no means are these Zoom or Tascam mics necessary for the field (or capturing EVPs), but their prices make them such value buys that we have to say it's totally worth it. If there's such a thing as spirit voices, you'll hear them with this.
Relevant features include:
Playback speed control
Built-in 90-degree X/Y stereo format condenser mics
WAV format
User-friendly interface
This recorder has everything you need and will offer the best quality sound possible, so you don't have to worry about distortions interfering with EVP captures.
It's got a 4.5/5 and we'd give it a 7/5 if we could. Find it here.
All these recorders contain the features needed to capture super subtle sounds really clearly without distortion. It's unclear whether they have an Auto Gain Control function, but if you find it, switch it off. It's responsible for making small sounds bigger and big sounds smaller, so you could easily mistake a paranormal EVP as a voice from a peer. Best just to interpret things as they are.
They also all have USB transference and long battery life/recording time, to make your life easier (along with a multitude of other cool functions for other facets of life). We use our recorders for podcasts as well as for investigative purposes. Catch those podcasts every last Saturday of the month on our socials!
Remember to use headphones and Happy hunting!
Comentarios