The Furzey Hill Physical Circle, Voice Recordings

Voice recordings

Recordings began when sF was on leave. Rachel continued with the monthly circle alone but used the time to experiment with alternative methods of communication. By chance she was given a dictaphone at the end of April '08 and used it for the first time in the May'08 sitting.

From the very first sitting, excellent results were obtained. These were not anticipated but very much welcomed. Communicators were eager to continue experimenting over the period of sF's absence. Three days after Rachel had major surgery, recordings were of a high standard and she was again urged to carry on with short sessions until being fully fit.

When sF and Rachel began to sit again in late 2008, they were asked to continue with the use of the dictaphone.The majority of voices recorded by the dictaphones can not be heard directly in the seance room, however in most seances some direct vocal sounds are heard that are later confirmed on the recording. At first the voices did not appear to be in response to questions, or be discussing anything related to the circle. More recent recordings made in the circle have direct answers to our questions and often a dialogue between communicators can be heard discussing us and their plans for the sitting (these are not always as clear as normal speech).

We also receive confirmation of who is transfiguring, making a noise in the room or felt touching a member of the circle. At first communicators were unaware and at times alarmed that we could hear their discussion, in circle at least they are now familiar and aware of our capability. Field recordings are more easily made than in circle, the energies outside of our working environment have little hesitation in speaking and leaving messages. The recording made in the theatre at Peterhouse College, Cambridge was exceptional.

When experimenting alone Rachel still obtains prolific conversations between communicators. Generally these are of a poorer overall quality and it can be very difficult to hear the full dialogue without isolating certain words or breaking down sentences. Words within the same sentence may be spoken at different speeds, back to front and in foreign languages.

Replies and background conversations are markedly reduced after opening in prayer and before closing. Answers given to questions in circle tend to be succinct and precise. Either side, the commentary of our communicators remarking on our appearance, performance or giving directions, can be surprisingly frank.

Four dictaphones are in use, 2 basic Olympus VN2100 ( VN ) and a high definition Olympus LS10 ( LS ) and a Sony ICD-B600. Short wave white noise was used initially, but is no longer needed. The hiss of the VN, even on XHQ provides more than enough background noise. The LS although it captures many of the same messages as the VN, seems to require a much stronger voice to register clearly. Occasionally two VN2100's are used to record a seance, the result has always been two identical recordings with exactly the same phenomena and voices. The only difference between the duplicated VN recordings being some voices are clearer in turn from one than the other, this could be due to their placement in opposite corners of the room.

As noted on our home page, we are actively researching the voices captured on the digital dictaphones. If you have technical expertise and would like to assist our research, we would very much appreciate hearing from you. Please email Rachel at rachel@furzeyhillcircle.info, emails are always responded to promptly.