| What seems to be a man's face looking out of the window of an abandoned, condemned house- Cottonwood, Arizona. |
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| The Arizona Paranormal Research Society |
| Audio Recorder Protocol |
| There are wide varieties of different types and brands of audio recorders on the market. Common sense and affordability usually determines what you can and cannot purchase. Currently, the choices are analog and digital recorders. Some people prefer analog, others prefer digital. Each had its advantages and disadvantages. Once again, it is your choice. Most investigators use digital audio recorders for the ease of computer audio analysis and exporting. Some investigators utilize the analog recorders. Either way, fully research both digital and analog recorders to determine which type you are interested in and what is affordable to you. Any accessory purchases for the audio recorder is a personal choice and decisions on purchasing what is desired will have to be made accordingly. Most digital recorders have an internal microphone(s) as well as an external microphone jack. With the sensitive internal microphone in use, anything that contacts the recorder’s casing is recorded. Excessive audio corruption from fingerprints can occur when fingers slide across the casing while it is being held. There are no corruptive sounds coming from the recorder’s actual inner components, but some investigators prefer using a external microphones of different types in conjunction with the digital recorder, depending on the location and type of investigation. With analog recorders, there is an inner motor that turns the tape reel mechanisms. This motor sound may be picked up and recorded on the internal microphones, if so equipped, which is why some investigators prefer to use an external microphone with analog recorders. It is best to research the different recorders and accessories available to determine your purchase. Know your recorder’s functions completely and understand all settings. You should have the date and time stamp set accordingly before any investigation. 1. Check your recorders operating condition before each investigation. Make sure you have a supply of fresh batteries, clear memory or fresh Hi-Bias tapes and correct time stamp set. Only use one side of Hi-Bias tapes. Never record over past recordings. 2. Know the operation of your recorder completely. If a problem develops during an investigation and you don’t quite know how to correct it, ask for advice. We are here to help each other in any way we can and we may be able to help correct the problem. 3. When handling a recorder with internal microphone in use, be gentile and try not to slide your fingers across the casing as the recorder will record your fingers doing this. 4. With external microphones, it is best to allow the microphone to remain stationary while recording as to avoid any possible noise from movement corrupting the recording. 5. Most digital recorders have memory folders. Select the proper folder and record the announcement of the client(s) name/case number, time and area of the investigation, the location of the recorder and if possible, the names of the persons in the same area of the recorder. Some investigators record the whole night through to establish a “control” recording for comparison to other recordings taken from the same area. Others may op to record in different areas using different folders for different areas. Make your recording announcements for each room as well as a final announcement of the recording ending when recording in that area is completed. 6. Analysis of audio can be as simple or as complicated as you make it to be. What ever the case, be thorough and honest. Audio evidence should be as it is recorded. Remember, with every enhancement added, the audio specimen looses its credibility. It is best to leave well enough alone and take the classification of EVP as it is. It is more common to listen to the whole audio and save suspected EVP selections as WAV files. Include the time stamp in the name of the selection so that you can refer to it from the original file. (subject to future updates) © Copyright 2006-2009 "The Arizona Paranormal Research Society" |
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