Is electronic voice phenomena, or EVP a real phenomenon?

Question

If so, what is a rational explanation for the phenomena? What are some of the theories of the cause?

Answer 1

If I recall, the explanation for it is that ghosts voices are at such a low frequency that human ears can't hear it, but it can be picked up on audio tape.

Answer 2

Electronic voice phenomena (EVP) are "spirit voices" that are said to manifest themselves on audio recordings. Though there are a number of EVP proponents who insist that the phenomenon is inexplicable by conventional science, skeptics argue there are prosaic explanations for the phenomenon that do not require communication from ghosts or from other paranormal sources.

Some EVP is more easily heard and understood than others. And they vary in gender (men and women), age (women and children), tone and emotion. They usually speak in single-words, phrases and short sentences. Sometimes they are just grunts, groans, growling and other vocal noises. EVP has been recorded 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 categorized by researchers:

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 fascinating 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 not heard until later when the tape is played back.

While it is impossible to prove that all EVPs are due to natural phenomena, skeptics maintain that they are probably due to such things as interference from a nearby CB operator or cross modulation. Some of the "voices" are most likely people creating meaning out of random noise, a kind of auditory pareidolia or apophenia. And now that the phenomenon has a number of devoted followers (thanks in part to the movie "White Noise"), some hoaxers have probably entered the fray.

Skeptics claim that these are the more plausible explanations, and that as long as it remains a possibility, we have no need to turn to speculation such as spirits, astral beings or psychokinesis. Many of the characteristics noted by EVP proponents themselves (such as Raudive, see below) fit the pareidolia hypothesis, namely that the voices speak fast, in a mixture of languages, with non-standard grammar, telegram-style sentences and are often inventing new words. This suggests that the words picked up by attentive listeners are in fact random and whatever meaning and order they seem to have is constructed by them (such as judging something to be meaningful neologism rather than nonsense). Another argument is that if other entities could change and properly arrange small magnetic charges in our computers and tapes, they would have no problem entering our chat rooms or sending us email. Such alterations would presumably be easier and the absence of such messages count against the premise behind EVP, that supernatural entities exist which affect our world through electromagnetism.

Answer 3

If you listen to static long enough at a fairly high volume level you will hear all kinds of crazy stuff. Kind of like sensory overload for your ear drums. Try it. Warning. It may make you Craaaaaaazy!

Answer 4

the guy with the long answer seemed to know what he was talking about. i'll go with him.

haven't you ever thought you heard someone call your name clearly turned around and noone was there. that is the spirit world trying to get our attention.

Answer 5

anything that you believe is real is actually very real in your own mind. It might not be real to another mind but to you is all that counts.