Microphones

Unidirectional/Omni-Directional Microphone    For analog recording, an external microphone is a MUST. With the popularity of karaoke, you can buy microphones everywhere. Unidirectional microphones will take sound from only one direction, and omni-directional microphones can hear sounds from all directions. Any microphone will do, but omni-directional is naturally much better for the work that we're doing. I saw one made by Magnavox the other day at K mart. It was only 10 bucks, and had a frequency response as low as 80Hz! Low Frequency Microphone    The frequency response on most microphones in the above category start above 100Hz. That sucks because many investigators have reported that a lot of their best E.V.P.'s fall within the 20 to 40Hz range.  Low frequency mics can be expensive and often in the hundreds of dollars. Drummers tend to use them, so you might want to check a music store, and they can be bought online. Make sure you shop around to find the lowest frequency response at the lowest price. You might be able to get a good deal. Sound Amplifier    This is an experimental device. There are a lot of different types that can be bought, most of which have an omni-directional microphone with a removable dish for direction. Some use it to attempt 'real time' conversation with a ghost. None of  that has been proven, but it can be useful for recording E.V.P. It can also be used along side other recorders to help detect false positives. All in all, if you have an imagination, it can be a useful tool. You can get a cheap one at a toy store for about 30 bucks. More expensive ones run in the hundreds. Ear-2000 Surface Mic    I haven't heard of anyone aside from myself doing any sort of experimentation with something like this, but I thought I'd put it up here anyway. This little toy is designed to convert minute vibrations to voice band audio that can be received by headphones or a recording device. If you set it down, even on a carpeted floor, you can hear a pin drop on the other side of the room. If you're interested in getting one, and can find one, they run at about 300 dollars. I've heard they're not manufacturing them anymore, but you may be able to find one.

Miscellaneous

Headphone Cable       As stated before, most audio recorders don't have a USB connector for the computer, so using this is the only way to  record your audio onto the computer. We've written a tutorial to show you how to do that. To read it, click the 'Transfer Guide' button. The cable can be bought in most places that sell electronics. In most cases, you'll want to buy one that has that has a male 1/8th inch plug at each end. These usually cost around 5 dollars. Cassette Tapes      Cassette tapes are needed for your analog cassette recorders, for those of you who are too young to remember the 80's. You don't want to go cheap on these things. ALWAYS buy name brands. Also, because of 'bleed-over', it's wise to only use only ONE SIDE of each tape. For the same reason, you should NEVER reuse the same tape. You're gonna go through a lot of them which can be expensive. They're available for regular, and micro-cassette recorders in most department stores for only a few bucks. Mini Discs       They're a digital media pretty much just like a regular compact disc. These go with the minidisc players. Many people will tell you that they're similar to cassette tapes, and that you should not reuse them after you've already recorded on them. I agree and disagree. I see no point in them if you're going to reuse them. I see them more for archiving data as opposed to hunting. At the same time, reusing them isn't even close to an issue compared to cassette tapes. Best Buy sells them. They are about 2 dollars per 80 minute disc. Headphones       You get what you pay for. You can go to a dollar store, and get a pair for 99 cents, or you can go crazy, and spend a few hundred dollars on a pair that's bigger than your head. Truth is, it's all up to you, but being the opinionated jerk that I am, I do have a suggestion. Don't go really cheap with this one. E.V.P.'s are usually very faint, and you're going to want a large pair to cover your ears completely to keep outside noises from getting in the way. I wouldn't buy a piece of crap, but I'd be content to spend less than 100 bucks. Headphone Amplifier       These things can be bought in most places where electronics and other audio equipment are sold. They cost anywhere between 10 to 50 dollars. The most common brand name for them is 'Boostaroo'. They can be useful for listening to your audio, and some have attempted to use them for 'real time' communication with the Beyond. They amplify the sound that's already coming through your headphones by a few decibels.  White Noise Generator      Many people believe that spirits need a constant flow of noise to draw from so they can make sounds of their own for you to record. It hasn't been proven, which keeps this in the very experimental stage. It functions above a 300Hz frequency, which gives it another use. If it's true that spirits operate on a very low frequency, then you can turn the volume up to drown out all sounds above the 300Hz range. Afterwards,  just filter out the white noise. At 300 bucks from online dealers, you might want to consider running tap water as noise instead. Computer    Computers are a must in pretty much every aspect of modern paranormal investigation, ESPECIALLY in the audio part of it. They are necessary for running programs to filter your E.V.P. files to make them clear to understand them. There are other uses as well, from multi track recording directly to your hard drive, to storing your audio for later use.

Software

Audacity       Audacity is probably the most popular audio editing and filtering program used in the field. The reason for this is because it's 100% free! For being free, it's pretty damn useful. Click the 'Audacity Tutorial' button to read the tutorial that I wrote to help you out with the program. If you want to download Audacity for free, click here! Adobe Audition       Adobe Audition is considered by many investigators to be the 'be all-end all' of audio filtering and editing software. At one time it was called 'Cool Edit Pro' until it was bought out by Adobe and now it costs an arm and a leg. Still, it's one of, if not THE best audio program out there. I've written a tutorial to teach you the basics of how to use it. Just click on the 'Audition Tutorial' button to read it. Click here to download this program directly from Adobe at $349.00.