Conduct 30 minute question and answer sessions where everyone at the investigation site is in the same place. Questions are asked one at a time with an appropriate period between questions to allow for the spirits to answer

Question: What, exactly, is EVP anyway?

Answer: EVP stands for: Electronic Voice Phenomenon. What it is Exactly is very hard to say. EVP is associated with ghost's and haunting phenomenon. What actually happens is easy to describe. You pick up a tape recorder and go for a walk through a place (residential or exterior location) that is said to be haunted. When you play the tape back, you hear voices on the tape that were not there while the tape was being made. What this is, and how it works, is anybody's guess. Everyone that has been doing it for a while eventually develop a theory. There are as many EVP theories as there are EVP detectives. All, one or none may be true.

Question: When you are doing your recordings, do you actually hear voices that appear on the tape while you are recording them?

Answer: No not usually (we have heard sounds like "ooohs" and shrieks but they just sound like clicks on the tape-We're not sure why audible sounds are distorted when inaudible sounds are often clear.) Technically the only time you hear EVP voices is when you play the tape back after you are finished. We take our tapes home and listen to them. We have what I call our, "Guide Book." This is a note book where we write down what we hear on the tape and where (on the counter) we hear it. We are able to go back to spot on the tape later, record that spot on to the computer and build a WAV. file out of it. It is the WAV. files that we then post on our web page.

Question: What sort of equipment do you use to record your EVP voices? Is there something special you need?

Answer: There is nothing special needed. We use a variety of different recorders, some with an external microphone and some without. Now I do strongly recommend the external mike. Without an external microphone the recorder will use the built in mike that is positioned in such a way that it will pick up the sound of the recorders motor (usually sounds like a "click click" or a "whir"). This increases the ambient noise you record while trying to record EVP. Plus, the optional mike is amplified at just about the perfect level. However; any recorder will do and the external mike is not a must.

Question: What is the software that you use to clean up your EVP?

Answer: Actually, the software we use isn't important. Any good sound editor will do. What some people use is really overkill. You don't need that kind of power to work with EVP. These programs requires a knowledge of sound engineering to get the most out of it and is a lot more expensive than you need. These days most good CD burners have a native editor and it's usually all the power you need.

Question: While trying to record EVP should I be absolutely silent?

Answer: No-it's not necessary. In fact, the only thing you shouldn't do is whisper or talk in a voice unlike your normal speaking tone. Talk in normal tones. We have found that if you don't talk to "Them" then "They" won't talk to you. You should address them in a normal tone of voice. Don't "over chat" or talk when others are talking. After all you're trying to get spirit voices not record your own. Concise...Be clear, ask questions and be concise. The best questions are of a personal nature (see above). What are you mainly curious about? We frequently tell people, "Just because some one is dead does not mean they are no longer a person. They still have feelings, they react emotionally. They can be offended. Be respectful, and talk to them like they are people. Be sure to note when others (who might forget or be further away from you talk) speak. If you hear noise then the tape will hear it as well.

Question: What is the best technique for recording EVP?

Answer: EVP is simple to do. You get a tape recorder with and external mike. FRESH NEW TAPE! The more sensitive the mike the better, however; those so-called "Bionic Ear" microphone are over-kill. Don't use one of those. Starting with a new tape set the recorder to record and walk around the house. Go slowly and QUIETLY from room to room or remain in one location. Ask for a name. Give 20 to 30 seconds for a reply then, do it again and again. Ask "Why are you here?" again give 20 to 30 seconds for a reply, then ask again and again. Repeat this several times over. Give 20 to 30 minutes for a first try at EVP. Now, sit down and listen to the tape. If you have head phones it is best to use them. Listen not only to the pauses where you were expecting answers, but listen also to your own voice. Many times "they" will talk over or under your voice or come in right at the end of your voice as though they have anticipated your questions. I tell people, "Close your eyes. Tune into your hearing and just listen." If you don't get anything on the first try wait at least until the next day to try again.

Question: What is white noise?

Answer: I guess the best way to describe white noise is to liken it to a static band-We have our own technical expert who is able to cobble these machines together. These machines are plugged into the in jack of a tape recorder which is placed along side a regular tape recorder. On the tape recorder with the white noise attached to it-you will not hear the investigators voice...hopefully all you get on that tape recorder is spirit activity. The other tape recorder will pick you up as well as any spirit activity and it keeps a record of the questions that have been asked.

Question: What time of day or night have you found to be best for getting results?

Answer: If you can find a location that's quiet during the day then that is your best time. Night time does have distinct advantages. Quieter usually and darkness seems to encourage activity. Haunted or active areas more likely than areas with no history. There are no rules.

Question: How long will you stay in one place before moving on to another site within the same cemetery grounds?

Answer: When working cemeteries we use one of two techniques. The first is to find a nice place to sit and then stay there. The second is to stay on the move. Either way we limit the total taping time to thirty minutes.

Question: Do you only capture EVP's in response to questions or have you, personally, ever captured an EVP from recording "dead air."

Answer: Actually we've captured both. Most of the EVP we have has come from being in the right place at the right time to record it. We find that most of the haunting activity we see is what is known as a "Residual" haunting. A residual haunt is like a recording being played over and over again. The "ghosts" are not aware of us and will not respond to us. We maybe recording memories and not active spirit involvement.

Question: How long will you record dead air within one site?

Answer: We try to keep any taping session to about thirty minutes. When listening for EVP thirty minutes is a lot of tape to listen to any more would just wear you out.

Question: What's the best way to pick a cemetery? By size? Age? Reputation?

Answer: The best way to select a cemetery (or any location) is by reputation and importantly whether or not you can get permission. We always have people telling us stories about how they [a family member, friend, or friend of a friend] had a strange experience or saw something that really scared them. They will tell us all about it and then recommend that we check it out. Most of these tips turn out to be pretty good. We usually get EVP when we go after it. Also we have a theory that cemeteries may actually serve as "social" places. It maybe one of the few places spirits can communicate with each other.

Classifications of EVP

The classifications:

Class A EVP - 100% audible, clear voice & intelligent or reactive responses, not random noise or words. Example: having direct questions responded to or reaction statement. Audible to the human ear no enhancements needed, no question to what the voice is saying. Low Hz levels do not always apply with true Class A EVP. Some have registered on a higher frequency as the team present, other data to support the potential EVP claim, such as other tape recorders, and or video gear.

Class B EVP - Practically audible, some doubt to the interpretation, syllables & consonant pronunciation is questionable. Appropriate tone & timing to question or statement made by team member. Frequency levels are also undetermined, but usually found on the low end of the spectrum. Non English EVP are placed in this category.

Class C EVP - Frequency levels support this unexplainable voice, not always audible, but some constants are present. Timing & tone apply to this category. Direct response is not required. Random voices or tones apply in this category. Out of text words or phrases that are not explained by correlating data. Audible, but faint, not a whisper or murmur those will fall into the Class G category.

Class D EVP - Non published or announced EVP. This may be an EVP, but it is too questionable to declare as paranormal. Whispers, faint murmurs, breathe like sounds and airy sounding voices. This classification is not the trash barrel for EVP; it is simply a holding area until the EVP has been validated by all data. Usually Class D EVP are not published or presented as paranormal phenomena.

Class G EVP - If you have to work that hard to clarify or understand the potential EVP, then its probably not an EVP. G stands for GARBAGE. Trash it & keep trying.