Analysis
of Recordings.
Once you have made your recordings, you will want to
analyze them. Transferring the files from your audio
recorder can be carried out in several ways depending
on the model of recorder you use. Any audio recorder
that has a headphone socket can be connected to your
computer. Connect the audio lead from your recorder's
headphone socket to the microphone input on your computer.
A lot of the modern digital voice recorders on the market
have a USB port and these can be connected to your computer
and the files transferred using the software supplied
with the voice recorder. The Olympus models our team
use come with a program called Digital Wave Player.
This can be downloaded for free at http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/2590_software.cfm
There are several programs available to analyze your
recordings with, including: Adobe Audition, Sony Sound
Forge, or the free program Audacity which is available
for download at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/.
If you are recording the files via an audio lead, press
the record button in your chosen software program and
press play on your audio recorder simultaneously, your
sound file will now be recorded. You will need to set
the recording level so that it is loud enough, but not
distorting.
If you use the USB file transfer method, connect the
voice recorder using the USB lead and usually the software
program opens automatically. If you are using Digital
Wave Player, just click on "Transfer All Folders"
and the files will be copied to your computer.
Once you have your recordings on your computer, you
will be able to listen to and analyze them. A word of
advice though - NEVER work on your original recording;
ALWAYS make a working copy so that you have the original
without any alterations.
Once you have your working copy of your recording, you
can use features in your analysis software such as noise
reduction, amplification and various filters to enhance
the quality of any voices that may be contained in your
files. These features should be used sparingly as 'over
processing' a recording will ruin it. This is when the
'Undo' feature comes in very handy! Please take time
to experiment with and learn about the software that
you are using, there are many features and tools available
such as frequency analysis and spectral view, that will
help with your analysis. |
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Sound
Forge Screen Shot
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Spectral
View
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The
use of earphones is recommended during analysis, but
please be careful as any sudden loud noises that occur
during your recordings could cause damage to your ears.
Over a period of time, you will develop an ear for picking
out those distinct fast rhythms of an EVP voice and
you will naturally start to notice the wave forms which
coincide with these sounds. Make sure you listen to
the gaps in between people's conversations as you may
find EVP voices trying to put over their opinions as
well. I have found numerous examples of "mimicking"
as well, where a voice will repeat what is said, but
in a different voice.
If you are not successful in finding those EVPs at first,
please persevere as it does become easier with practice.
Once you start picking up on those elusive EVPs, you
will be hooked! |
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