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One of the most important tools a paranormal investigator can use to determine and document the presence of paranormal activity at a location besides their own five senses is an audio recorder.  Used to detect EVPs, or Electronic Voice Phenomena, which are noises and voices that are not heard audibly at the time of recording, it is important to use a recorder that is both easy to use and one that you are comfortable listening to during evidence review and playback.

I stumbled upon the H2 Zoom audio recorder in a musician’s catalog after using a regular digital recorder for a while.  I was intrigued with its versatility and advanced features, and decided to give it a try as a paranormal tool.  I was instantly hooked.

For one thing, the H2 has 4 built-in microphones and a setting where it records in 360° surround sound, which is helpful when listening for EVP’s in every corner of a large room.  Other settings include 90° and 120° if you want to hone in on a specific area.  It comes with a screw on mini tripod stand so you can place it upright in a room, instead of laying a traditional recorder down flat on a surface that may not catch every ambient sound.

The second thing I love about the H2 Zoom is the fact there is a memory card slot built into the device that you record off of, making it very easy to upload files by popping it right into your computer or laptop when you are done.  No more jumbled cords or confusion.

Other unique features include a large easy-to-read backlit digital display, the ability to adjust the levels at the touch of a button and the fact it can be used with regular AA batteries.  There are lights on the front that allow you to see if it is recording from across the room.  You can plug in headphones and play back files right on the spot, which can be broken down into individual folders.  It is light (only 4 ounces) and easily portable, and comes with a wind screen you can place over the top to cut down on wind noises if recording outside.  In a pinch, the H2 Zoom can even be used as a USB microphone, and comes with a screw-on handle as one of its many included bonus accessories.  It can also be screwed on to a regular camera tripod if you want to record higher off the ground.

I would highly recommend this item to any paranormal investigators out there that are serious about the sound quality of their EVP’s.  I have noticed a big difference in the “fullness” and quality of the sound during evidence review.  I use Audacity for this purpose, and I found the H2 Zoom to be very compatible with the program.

As far as cost, when the H2 Zoom first came out in 2007, the price hovered around $300.  You can now get a newer version of one of these, called the H2n, for approximately $150, and it is definitely worth every penny.  I’ve been using mine for four years now without a single issue.

For more information, you can visit the official website at http://www.zoomh2.net/h2 or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoom_H2_Handy_Recorder .  Some reviews of this product are available at http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2-Portable-Stereo-Recorder/dp/B000VBH2IG.

Review by SCARED! investigator, Brooke Haramija.

From it’s inception, the SCARED! Crew has always been about diversity.  We’re a team of different people with different belief systems and various ways of approaching investigations.  While we don’t look to fill any columns or quotas, we do adhere to a basic methodology which we call the Three Pillar System: Psychic, Scientist and Skeptic.

But beyond that, we’re simply individuals who come together for a common goal.  Who are we?  Watch the video and get to know us a little better.