Using Spectrograms for the Reception of ITC Images
by Keith Clark

aAudio is the most prevalent medium through which the majority of ITC experimenters experience communication with the other side. As technology pushes us ever forward and previously unattainable ideas suddenly come within our grasp, we are presented with more opportunities to explore and develop new means of communication with spirit. The use of spectrograms to receive ITC images through sound can be an inventive tool through which we can further develop our relationship with those on the other side.
Direct Radio Voice experiments have been a staple of my experimental work for over a year and a half. Frequently I browse the web and read everything I can on the subject of radio in an attempt to understand how it works and how it can be applied to new experimentation. While researching on the web one day I stumbled across the creative use of spectrograms by a musician. This person had taken an image of himself and converted it into a sound file that could be translated back into a picture with the appropriate software. He had inserted his picture in audio form at the end of one of his compilations, similar to the way other musicians add hidden tracks to their recordings.  It was a new concept to me, something I had never heard of. I was familiar with the use of spectrum analyzers in the field of communications to analyze and troubleshoot various signals, but the thought of having an individual’s image converted into audio seemed very interesting.  The thought crossed my mind: “If spirit can influence the energy and audio frequencies which comprise evp, can they also produce images using sound?”

A spectrogram is the representation of audio frequencies in a visual graph. Spectrogram software displays both the audio frequencies and volume intensity as it changes across a specified period of time.  During my initial experiments I sampled various low-cost software programs and reviewed them for their accuracy, functionality, and ease of use.  The software I settled on and use to demonstrate this new area of experimentation is called Spectrogram by Visualization Software.  It is fairly easy to use, doesn’t require extensive knowledge of audio spectrum analysis, and is available as a ten day trial. When choosing a color scheme for the graph display, I prefer the choice of blue as it seems to provide the best contrast for observation.

The first several experiments with the spectrogram software produced inconclusive results. Having an interest in direct radio voice, part of my regular routine is to monitor the signal emanating from two radios located in a shed in the back yard. These radios provided the audio source for use with the preliminary trials of the spectrogram software.  After experiencing nothing of mention, the concept of images through sound was moved to the back burner and retained as a future area of interest.  It was not until a month later that I was re-inspired to investigate spectrograms further. Interesting results were received after the third day of consistent monitoring, resulting in the following picture.

Sample 1:  July 18th      (1 – 9 Khz)
b
The positive attributes of experimenting with spectrograms include the following:  Provided that basic instruction is given for the setup and use of spectrogram software as a tool for ITC experimentation, an accessible alternative to more difficult methods of image reception from spirit is created.  While most methods of experimenting with ITC communication require playback of recorded audio or video, the viewing of images using spectrograms can be observed and captured in real-time.  As a result, the level of effort and technical ability is minimal in comparison with the tedious work of sifting through recorded material.  Given the right circumstances, it is also highly feasible that spectrograms may provide an avenue for real-time audio and visual communications to take place simultaneously. Another advantage of spectrograms (and other forms of visual ITC as well) is the bonding and advancement of a researcher’s personal relationship with spirit. As consistency is established during experiments by researchers, the repetition of the pictures of specific individuals may provide answers as to the identity and intention of the spirit personalities with whom communication is taking place.

cEditing, noise reduction, and other tools which are commonly used to improve the clarity of recorded audio samples are unnecessary when taking snapshots of spectrograms.  Hypothetically, the editing of audio samples used to produce spectrograms will only serve to remove the audio frequencies and volume which comprise the total makeup of the image – resulting in an altered or compromised image. On the other hand, it is reasonable to conclude that transmission of images from the spirit vibration to the earth vibration could potentially be more difficult to achieve than basic voice contact. Spirit would not only have to manipulate the frequencies and volume of audio, but also match the transmission of that audio in relation to a specific period of time.  Experimentation will show that changing the playback speed of a spectrogram sample can result in the appearance of images which seem to have been created for a different period of time than that of the program’s settings in place during the observation.  Similar to the characteristic of evp sounding faster than the rate of normal human speech, evidence will show that spirit may also have difficulty conforming to a single specific period of time when sending an image using this method.


dThe variety of audio sources that can be used in experiments with spectrograms is as limitless as the imagination of the experimenter. Since the origin of the signal is audio in nature, many of the experimental ideas used in evp research can be applied to spectrograms.  After a couple of weeks of research I decided to try different audio sources. In the example to the left, the audio source was the musical sound of a “jaw” harp being played into a microphone. Experiments with other musical instruments have also shown similar results.  Instruments that vibrate and cover a broader frequency spectrum are more likely to yield better results than those that emit a single, non-resonating tone.




It is important to note that one disadvantage of this particular spectrogram software program is that there is a fluctuation in how the software displays the audio data that it receives. During tests, a loop of a spectrogram image was played back repeatedly, but was never represented exactly the same on the graph. On average, it was estimated that the composition of the picture has a tendency to fluctuate plus or minus 10 percent. This obstacle could probably be overcome by obtaining a better grade software program capable of finer resolution and accuracy – such as those used for speech analysis.

As with any other method of working with ITC, the tendency to recognize patterns in various shapes and forms is always prevalent. Researchers wishing to experiment in this area should make an attempt to only collect pictures of obvious formation and recognition. As a common rule, editing of audio files and the resulting spectrogram should be avoided. If possible, keep the original audio files in accompaniment with the spectrogram samples that are represented as communication with spirit. If this is done, duplication and exhibition of experimental results will prove to be more conclusive, and allow for further analysis and forward progress of this area of work.

On August 1st a new signal appeared on the radios that I monitor. The tone that came through sounded modulated, and it met the following conditions for my personal consideration as attempted spirit communication: It came through both radios simultaneously, and it appeared on the majority of the spectrum covered by my shortwave radio. I began to feel that spirit had initiated a new project – one in which they were developing new ways of projecting their images.  This work is still in progress.
e
Researchers attempting to establish direct radio voice contact will find this technique especially helpful. It has the potential to enable them to not only hear spirit’s attempts to improve contact over radio, but also possibly see who they are working with in spirit. It is also logical to conclude that the relationship between drv contacts and spectrograms through radio may be directly proportional, as one improves – so will the other. The idea of spirit being able to overcome the limitations present in voice radio contact by transmitting a modulated signal through the same audio feed to generate images has yet to be seen.

People interested in receiving images through spectrograms can find a brief tutorial which will describe how to duplicate the experiments mentioned in this article. The tutorial and additional samples can be found at the AAEVP Idea Exchange and ITCBridge.com