What is electronic voice phenomena?

Electronic voice phenomena (EVP) is when voices from an unknown source are heard on analog or digital recording media, in radio station noise and other electronic media. The voices are usually not heard at the time of recording; it is usually only when the recording media is played back that the voices are heard. Sometimes amplification and noise filtering is required to hear the voices.

Some EVP is more easily heard and understood than others. They usually speak in single-words, phrases and short sentences. Sometimes they are just growling and other vocal noises.

Sometimes they are the sounds physical movements (doors opening/closing, footsteps, taps, bangs), not heard or caused by the investigator. Those occurrences would not fit the definition of "voice" but the blanket term of EVP is still usually used.

EVP has been recorded by researchers in various countries speaking in various languages.

The quality of EVP also varies. Some are difficult to distinguish and are open to interpretation as to what they are saying. Some EVP, however, are quite clear and easy to understand. EVP often has an electronic or mechanical character to it; sometimes it is natural sounding. The quality of EVP is generally categorized by researchers in a manner such as this:

• Class A: Easily understood by almost anyone with little or no dispute. These are also usually the loudest EVPs.
• Class B: Usually characterized by warping of the voice in certain syllables. Lower in volume or more distant sounding than Class A. Class B is the most common type of EVP.
• Class C: Characterized by excessive warping. They are the lowest in volume (often whispering) and are the hardest to understand.

The most interesting aspect of EVP is that the voices sometimes respond directly to the persons making the recording. The researchers will ask a question, for example, and the voice will answer or comment. Again, this response is usually not heard until later when the recording is played back.

Where do the voices come from?

No one knows for sure. Some theories are:

• They are voices of people who have died. This is why many researchers go to cemeteries seeking EVPs (and often get results).
• They are from another dimension. It is theorized that there may be many dimensions of existence, and somehow beings from some other dimension are able to speak and communicate with ours through this method. A good question is, however: How do they know English and other languages of our dimension?
• They come from the researchers' own subconscious. It's been suggested that somehow the researchers' thoughts are projected onto the tape.
• Some people believe that these voices are demonic in origin.
• Skeptics assert that there is nothing to EVP at all - that the "voices" are either hoaxed, random noise interpreted as voices, real voices already on the tape, or voices picked up from radio and cell phones signals.

Examples of EVP, recorded by members of Ohio Paranormal and our fraternal organization, the Ohio Exploration Society.

You be the judge. These examples come from our own collection and are some of our personal favorites.

1.) Class A: This example is strong and loud. Nothing was heard by the investigators, who where recording inside of a car with the windows down in a isolated location. It impressed on the recording so strongly that it "spoke over" the investigators, who were about to leave a "crybaby bridge" near Van Wert Ohio. Credit goes to Jay Maynard for this recording.

"I will not deny my baby!" (Some say they can hear a baby crying in the background of this recording as well)

2.) Class B: This example we have debated since 2004. It is clearly a voice that is making a statement, beginning with "welcome". Other than that, we have been debating the exact wording. Tone and timber stay level through the statement but clear message is lost. Feel free to email us with your impressions. recorded in Old Agudas Achim Cemetery. Credit goes to Jason Robinson.

"Welcome........."

3.) Class C: The best of the worst. When you know you have something anomalous but have no clue what it means! This type is very frustrating. Taken outside of a haunted home we investigated in Chilicothe. Please note the oddity of all the dogs from the surrounding homes beginning to bark when the voice ends. Credit goes to Jason Colwell.

"???"