Although most of our evps are picked up in places we consider to be haunted evps can be recorded anywhere and at anytime. The voices do not always sound human. Many times they are just faint whispers or one word or maybe a sound such as knocking. We have had the best luck recording late at night. We use a standard cassette recorder, always with a new tape and recording only on side "A". We also use digital recorders. We usually start off with our name, location, members names time and date. Then we ask questions such as "Is there anyone here with us" and giving ample time for the ghosts to respond before asking our next question. We feel it is best to have one person ask the questions. And it is much easier to spot them on playback if you were as quiet as possible when your questions are being asked, but we have picked up strange voices and sounds among our chatter or while setting up equipment. Many were captured after leaving the recorder running in an empty area in the middle of our investagations. If you must talk while recording evps always speak in a normal voice, never whisper.

Class A: Audible
Class B: Whisper
Class C: Robotic
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Q: What tools can I use for Ghost Hunting?

A: When you start ghost hunting you will find there is all sorts of tools or equipment you'll want.

* Cameras, variety film and/or digital
* Flashlights, at least 2 for each person
* Lots of batteries including rechargables
* Recorders (standard & digital)
* External microphone
* High quality tapes
* Earphones, for playback of recordings
* Thermometer, (ambient, not a contact thermometer) the idea is that the temperature can drop when ghosts are present.
* Paper and pen, for case notes and events
* Headlamp (a flashlight to wear on the head)
* Camcorders with night shot/night vision
* Tripods

We use digital cameras on ghost hunts. We also use standard and digital voice recorders. Headlamps are great tool because you wear it on your head, held in place with a strap which frees up your hands for other things.
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Q: Do you ever get scared while investigating?

A: I seldom get scared during an investigation. I'm usually way to excited to be scared! The more you get out there and investigate, the more you realize that anything exciting seldom happens. Most hours spent investigating are spent sitting motionless in a room, trying not to make any noise, waiting for something to happen. It can be quite tedious. Still, on very rare occasions, I do sometimes get a little "freaked-out" if I get a strong feeling that something is in the room with us, especially when I feel that it is standing right behind me.
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Q: What's an orb?

A: This is a really good question, because nobody knows for sure. An "orb" is an anomaly which shows up on film and digital cameras, as well as sometimes being seen with the naked eye. It resembles a ball of light and is usually spherical in shape. Orbs are believed to be a physical form (the most common) which a spirit can take...the other two are ecto and apparitions. Orbs can also be caught on video, and have been recorded meandering slowing and quickly streaking across a room. Sometimes a moving orb can be caught on still cameras, which is somewhat rare since the orb would have to be moving faster than the camera's shutter speed to show motion on film.
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Q: How do you know where to investigate?

A: We only investigate sites that we have heard, or otherwise suspect are haunted. There are many ways to find haunted sites. There are thousands of haunted sites listed on the web. There are also hundreds of books in print which list haunted sites. We also hear about places by word-of-mouth, or have property owners contact us directly.
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Q: What are some rules to follow during a hunt or investigation?

A: Here is a list of Protocols used during hunts and investigations:

* There is absolutely no smoking during an investigation.
* There is absolutely no drinking of alcoholic beverages before or during an investigation
* There is absolutely no using of Quija boards or Seances during an investigation.
* We do not take photographs during adverse weather conditions.
* We do not take photos while walking on dusty roads. When in dusty conditions, we wait motionless for several minutes, giving the dust a chance to settle, before taking pictures. We also make note of these dusty conditions in our investigation reports.
* All camera lenses are cleaned on the investigation site prior to the investigation.
* All camera straps are removed or worn around the neck.
* Reflective surfaces on our persons will be covered prior to an investigation. If it is not possible to cover reflective areas on our persons, it will be noted in the investigation report. Reflective areas and areas with mirrors in the investigation area will not be covered, but will be noted in the investigation report.
* Long hair is worn pulled back or under a hat during investigations.
* Anomalous 35mm prints are always compared with negatives for confirmation.
* When an anomalous picture is captured on digital camera, several more pictures are taken from the same vantage point in quick succession to rule out natural explanations.
* There is absolutely no trespassing. We always obtain permission before conducting an investigation on private property.
* Respect for cemetaries, battlefields, and private residences is shown at all times.
* We will only post investigation results pertaining to private residences if full permission is given. If full permission is not given, we blur out addresses and any information that pertains to the location and whereabouts of the residence. If we do not obtain permission for a semi-private property, such as restaurants or Inns, we will post the results without giving specific information pertaining to location, and fictitious names will be used.
* Fresh audiotapes are always used for EVP recordings on analog recorders.
* Silence is maintained during an EVP session, except for the person assigned to asking questions. If someone does make a noise, they note it in a clear voice so the noise can be identified when reviewing the recording.




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