Ok,

I sort of a newer Skeptic. It started with the meatloaf episode. Before I make my list of "what bothers me" I must preface a little.

Personally, I do believe their is ghosts. I aslo believe people fake evidence as well. As a Christian, I do believe in a spirit world.

After watching every major ghost hunting show and now movie too I feel like I have to say something here. Being from an audio background I can speak a little more in depth than video. I guess that was and is my weakness, video.

Lets jump into my list to keep this post short and informational (is that a word?):

1. It seems to me that the most activity (over 50% of evidence) surrounds Jay and Grant.

2. Most of the time, the cameras are fixed on the investigators when something happens elsewhere (avoiding the point of interest).

3.  The EVP's are captured on wireless audio. As we all know when we use wireless audio we are opening ourselves to RF interference. Also, when these laptops record audio with standard onboard audio processing rather than an audio card we have increased harmonic distortion. Computers with standard on board drivers are not meant for capturing recording studio audio. It is flawed. Also, how do I know what bitrate it is recorded at? Is it a MP3 (lossy format) or is it a WAV. I doubt WAV as the hardrive would have to be huge!!!

4. The software they use I am familiar with. Its called Adobe Audition formally known as Cool Edit Pro. I can tell you first hand it is good software. Not the best, but very good (for PC). It seems to me that GH doesnt use the AA software to anywhere near its potential. Why not give us more than one option to analyze. There first should be a "flat" or "dry" recording and playback. This would be the audio clip as it was captured with no changes at all.

The second clip should be SIMPLY AN AMPLIFIED VERSION BY 3DB.

The third clip (I VERY SERIOUSLY DOUBT THEY KNOW HOW TO DO THIS) Is to do a proper noise reduction by sampling the ambient harmonic distortion as a base and applying it to the EVP.

The fourth is to stretch the clip and EQ it to color it. See if that helps.

5. OK, I have a huge problem with portable audio recording devices and the mic on these units are not flat. They are mainly designed for dictation. They are do not have a flat response as you would find on a standard audio recording device. At the very least use a Sure SM57 or SM58 mic! Also, once again, these digital recorders are problally  recording at a 128 kBit rate to make space. A very lossy bit rate.

6. I believe they should use a portable batt operated multitrack rocoder which is well suited for capturing audible audio almost perfectly. I would say they would increase their qualitly by at least 300% on average.

7. Basic recording 101: Never ever use a RF admitting device such as walkies and even cell phones near a recording device!!!!!!!!! We all know they carry both!!

8. Why not use a tandum setup? Why not digital and also a analog? Analog is a true representation of the audio wave using magnetics across a PVC tape made up of iron particles. I would think if the spirit mostly disrupts or has a Electro-Magnetic signature that this would be a value to use?

Well…….. I have many many more ideas, but I think this post is long enough and I apologize for boring you. I guess its me a former fan venting. I am very open to your opinions and comments. Thank you for your time.

-Rob

Sheetie Attitude said:

Welcome rjlaman.  Allow me to quote you, to answer all of your questions:

"(I VERY SERIOUSLY DOUBT THEY KNOW HOW TO DO THIS)".  It pretty much applies to everything that is questionable about TAPS. 

I agree….Thank you!!!!

By the way is podcast 19 the newest??

Stephen said:

Yes. Podcasts 20 and 21 are recorded, but I've had some technical problems on my end around the editing software. I plan to relaunch around Halloween for our fall "season".

Awesome!!!! I look forward to the new season.