White Noise: Harmful, Helpful, or Both

Many comments were sent our way about the wondrous
benefits of white noise in the paranormal investigative
field, and then we read the following:

“Experimenters have found that a background of white
noise is conducive to results. Much of the research is
aimed at arriving at the right choice of background noise, or
vibration. This varies from tuning in to special radio
frequencies to letting a water tap run in the room. In this
respect it is remarkable that from an independent source
enhancing of a signal by non-linear systems noise has been
reported. The discovery was made in 1982 by three Italian
scientists: Roberto Benzi, Alfonso Sutera and Angelo
Vulpiani. In the August 1995 issue of the Scientific American
the phenomenon has been described. It is called stochastic
resonance. Best results are obtained by establishing the
exact level of white noise. EVP experimenters would benefit
from their taking notice of their conclusions.”
[Quote from: http://www.xs4all.nl/~wichm/dirvoic3.html]

Well, after months of looking into this, we decided to give it
a whirl and figure out if it would work in the actual field. The
findings brought us to our knees with praise. Putting white
noise into play, the recorders began to pick up things we
would never have hoped for. The energies swirled around
us, and we could almost imagine a strange party of ghosts
flocking towards the source of the sound. They pressed
forward onto all the investigators and the photos snapped
have some incredible orbs, shapes, shadows … the
equipment had readings so strong, almost every temp
reader and EMF machine zeroed out and refused to go any
further. We believe the white noise carried them towards
our team, and the result was an almost over powering
feeling of being surrounded by everything out there within
ghostly ear shot! But, we discovered, the volume plays a
very important key role in the success of this sounds use.

FPI first tested this in our own back yard. I went out at4:30
AM, white noise machine ready to go, EMF and temp reader
out. Nothing else present. Just me and some quick testing
equipment. The EMF jumped radically once the machine was
turned on. The temp reader dropped by about 22 degrees.
In general, this little bit of noise really brought ghosts down
on my head. I kept the volume turned low, barely audible.
Each machine responded with pretty good readings. Slowly
turning the volume up, I realized that the sensation of being
smothered by the ghosts became so strong, I almost bolted
back indoors. Low volume, good. High volume, bad. Got it!

With this bit of wisdom, I sent the white noise machine into
the field with the team going over a very old cemetery in
these parts. In the breakdown of how to use the machine,
my warning to keep the volume low became lost.
Unfortunately, the team wound up being forced to leave.
Half of them became ill. It just wasn’t pretty. Even those on
our team who are science based investigators admitted to
feeling the need to flee rather strongly. On the whole, the
evening was a bit too strong for the team’s comfort.

The next investigation with the machine, the volume was
kept low and not audible to the human ear in the outdoor
environment. The investigation went smoothly, and without
a hitch. A good amount of evidence was gathered, and the
equipment backed up a good amount of the ‘feelings’ some
of the team was getting. So, it brought the activity to the
team, but did not over power the team. Once I heard the
reports of what had happened, my mind began to wonder,
“Now, why would the volume matter so very much?”

With each new location explored, the white noise machine
seems to be bringing about a good amount of photos that
we had not captured prior, and enhancing the quality of the
EVP we are capturing. But why does it do this?

Perhaps the noise is enough to gather their curiosity, but
the louder you make it, the more horrible to hear for them?
Perhaps the louder it becomes, the more activity it brings
your way? For my opinion, I think that keeping the volume
very loud is the same irritant to them as playing Metallica at
full volume to a senior citizen. Just not pleasant. But really,
who’s to say, unless we ask the ghosts. As a general
warning to those out there attempting to use the machine …
Don’t crank up the volume. Unless you really feel like
watching half your team flip out, keep the volume at low
levels. Keeping everything as far from out of control as
possible should be the priority of any team leader. Just don’
t forget to say good-bye when you click off the machine and
walk back to your car. After all, dead or alive, manners are
universal.
-Drea