III. What About Equipment?

PAGE TWO

Sound Editing Software. Once you have decided on a recording device, we would advise you to get some sound editing software. Luckily, with improved technology, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg for a decent program.

When deciding on sound editing software, one feature you should consider is noise reduction capabilities. Some of the cheaper programs don’t have this, but many inexpensive ones do. Right now, we are using Acoustica 3.2 software. It’s an older version of Acoustica’s program which we downloaded for roughly $35 online. It has all we need and is very easy to use. Acoustica also has updated software with other great features for under $70.

Some investigators have used programs like Adobe Audition (formerly Cool Edit Pro) and swear by them. We have used this program and agree it is a wonderful program, but it is quite expensive at around $300.

In truth, what you need for an investigation does not require all the bells and whistles such as multi-track recording and sound effects. As long as you have some features to reduce background noise and equalize the sound, you’ll be in good shape.

Just do an internet search for sound editing software. There are plenty of decent programs to choose from.

Video Cameras. Although not necessary, video cameras are becoming more and more prevalent in investigations. Again, improved technology has made many of the cameras affordable. Up until recently, we had been using a Sony mini-digital video camera which I purchased about five years ago with a “super night shot” feature. It was of higher infrared quality than a typical night shot feature on most cameras. We were very happy with the results. As always, you should shop around and look at how much you want to spend. We feel that the “super night shot” feature or “night shot plus” are important due to night time clarity. We used three video cameras in our investigations – the video camera mentioned above, another with just “night shot”, and one with neither feature. The difference in captured footage was very noticeable.

Video Editing Software. If you have recently bought a computer, you most likely have some type of video editing software already installed. If not, there are many to choose from under $100. All you really need is the capability to cut the scene you want and possibly brighten and adjust the contrast of the video clip. We currently use Windows Movie Maker which came with our computer and offers everything that we need.

One More Step Up

Infrared (IR) Thermometers and Gauss Meters. If you are one to browse ghost hunting websites, you’ve probably noticed that many of the investigation groups go on about the importance of taking temperature and electromagnetic readings. The consensus theory is that sudden drops in temperature in an enclosed area or a sudden jump in electromagnetic activity make for the likely conditions for spirit activity. Like many subjects dealing with the paranormal, it’s only a theory. We’ve often wondered if it’s used mostly for show.

We have both of these pieces of equipment which Chris purchased from a well known and highly respected paranormal website when she became a member a number of years ago. These pieces of equipment were expensive and considered very high quality at that time. Not once, in any of our investigations has either one produced anything. Not a single squawk from the Gauss Meter nor any measurable temperature change with the IR thermometer, but we’ve come home with some pretty amazing evidence on camera and on sound disc. We still take them with us, always thinking they will eventually do something, but in truth, we rely mostly on our bodies and our feelings than these two pieces of equipment.

If you are interested in being able to offer your evidence up for scientists to scrutinize or to argue your points with other paranormal investigators, then having a laser IR thermometer and gauss meter for notation purposes is a good idea. We suggest that you don’t get hung up on these readings though as you’ll probably lose out to some great photo and sound opportunities. In short, don’t spend an arm and a leg for them, and if you don’t want to purchase them, that’s all right as well.

There are many other pieces of equipment out there that are supposed to up the ante on successful ghost hunting, but we’ll let you research some of the paranormal sites on these yourself. It is completely up to you how far you wish to go and how much money you wish to gamble with.

As you can see, to get started, there isn’t much to it. You can go out with as much or as little equipment as you want. The choice is yours. So, do you want to continue with this book right now or do you have the itch to go out and investigate? Go ahead if the itch is there. This book will be here when you get back, but the ghost you might capture may not. The big question is… where should you go?

The Night Watchman