29 October 2009

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What Will it Take?
2
Details to be announced /forum/index.php? be found at:http://
Thought’s for Discussion page=36 www.paranexus.org/forum/
index.php?zc

Science, Religion, and the

2
Paranormal

N e w A n n o u n c e m e n t s

Parapsychology
7 Members Re- What’s tall, ParaNexus is happy
Fact and Fiction
search assis- hairy and to welcome Dr
tant, Online with smell’s like Ingrid Irwin to the
many great fea- rotten eggs? Board of Directors.
Gizmos and Gadgets tures and tools
8 Find out in the Ingrid, an EVP specialist will be
BOSS Micro BR
located all in
latest entry of the ParaNexus heading our EVP research
one place on the
ParaPedia. department as we bring
web.
anomalous research to the
forefront.
P a g e 2 2 9 O c t o b e r 2 0 0 9

L e t t e r s F r o m t h e E d i t o r
B y D a v i d D e s j a r d i n s C D

In the spirit of David the forums at ParaNexus, I don‟t be shy.

Bowie, “Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-
Changes”. Over the next
few weeks I will be playing
around with different for-
mats and templates for our
newsletter in order to
streamline it and make it
as aesthetically pleasing as
I can. Comment‟s and sug-
gestions are always wel-
come. In the same vane,
and as I had posted within
would also like to get some
feedback on content. This
newsletter is somewhat a
labour of love for me, I
love writing and I don‟t
mind researching any topic,
but in the end it is for you,
the readership. What
would you like to see cov-
ered within future pages to
keep us fresh, educational
and to inspire you? Please
Suggestions, questions,
comments or concerns per-
taining to this article or
anything contained herein
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I look forward to receiving
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Certified Paranormal Investiga-
tors Course Available at
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What Will it Take?

To be one's self, Thought’s for Discussion

and unafraid By David Desjardins CD

whether right or As far back in time as
paintings on cave walls
wrong, is more
there have been recordings
admirable than
of flying craft and visitors in
the easy cowardice strange outfits. High profile
of surrender to accountings in the media,
conformity. - including such events of
“The Battle of LA” in 1942,
Irving Wallace
to more recent accounts
(1916-1990)
from around the world indi-
Writer and cate frequent visitation by
screenwriter intelligent beings. Yet, de-
spite these facts, eye wit-
ness accounts from such race of intelligent beings
credible sources as astro- mature enough for this
nauts, members of the gov- truth? I guess only time will
ernment, military, law en- tell. One way or the other!
forcement, etc…, as well as
To discuss this or any
the statistics from any num-
other topic, please visit:
ber of sources, some gov-
http://www.paranexus.org/
ernments still insist on using
forum/index.php?
such excuses as weather
action=forum
balloons and swamp gas to
explain away UFO‟s. What
will it take for the truth to
come out, and are we as a

Science, Religion, and the Paranormal

Researching and Investigating With an Open Mind

By Doug Kelley, CH, CSL, CLPI, ParaNexus Chairman, Executive Director

Paranormal investigation groups seem to ers, I founded my own paranormal

be sprouting up all across the United States
in recent years, no doubt due in part to in-
creased media attention. Television shows
like “Ghost Hunters,” “Most Haunted,” and
numerous documentaries do very well be-
cause many people want to know the answer
to perhaps the biggest question of humanity:
What happens when we die? Like many oth-
group, the Scientific Paranormal Investi-
gation, Research, and Identification
Team (SPIRITeam) to search for the
answer to that age-old and elusive ques-
tion, and to help people along the way.
As I conceived of and created the
SPIRITeam (initially for a novel), I
 2 9 O c t o b e r 2 0 0 9
wanted to approach paranormal
investigations from a scientific
standpoint; I wanted to use the
scientific method to gain evidence
of the paranormal, whichever sub-
category it fell into, e.g., ghosts,
UFO‟s, mysterious creatures, etc.
That meant that I would first seek a
rational, natural explanation of
specific events before I would con-
clude that they were paranormal in
nature. My philosophy would be
“Open-mindedness tempered by
healthy skepticism tempered by
open-mindedness.” Many paranor-
mal groups also take a similar ap-
proach.
As I read about the investiga-
tions of other groups as well as per-
formed my own investigations, I
began to see a common theme:
Many groups would have personal
paranormal experiences during in-
vestigations, sometimes even cap-
turing apparitions on video, but
then what? How can you scientifi-
cally prove that anything paranor-
mal happened? These events are
usually not reproducible in a lab.
So, groups go and investigate, ex-
perience many strange things, ac-
quire some weird pictures, video,
or EVP‟s, and then go do it all over
again. I wondered, beyond person-
ally experiencing these strange
events, what do we really have that
can be shown as concrete proof?
Furthermore, are high EMF read-
ings, cold spots, and dust orbs
about all we can expect to get from
our investigations? And even if we
were to see and video tape a full-
body apparition, then what? What
would it really tell us about the
“other side?” I wanted more.
This is when I began to seriously
and open-mindedly reassess all of
the known paranormal investigative
techniques, with a particular focus
on ghosts and spirits. These techniques
range from the usual electronic gadgets
such as EMF meters, thermometers, and
cameras, to the use of psychics, medi-
ums, dowsing rods, séances, and the
like.
In this regard, I have heard and read
many a paranormal group strongly dis-
courage the use of “non scientific”
tools, such as dowsing rods and séances.
I couldn‟t help but wonder why. Of
course, the explanations range from
“it‟s too subjective and you can‟t prove
it” to “you could be dabbling in some-
thing that could ultimately hurt you,
perhaps even possess you.” Contrary to
what one might think, some investiga-
tors seem to harbour a deep fear of spir-
its.
Again I wondered, “Is it true that you
can‟t prove psychic evidence? And, is it
true that spirits or malevolent entities
can harm you?” If it is true, how can it
be proven? And if not true, where did
these notions come from?”
The result of my thinking and re-
search on the matter was that it all de-
pended on a person‟s beliefs. Belief is
arguably the most powerful thing in the
known universe. Beliefs have started
every war fought in the history of hu-
manity, and they are responsible for
everyone‟s success or failure in life.
Beliefs at one time killed many alleged
witches, and, during the inquisition,
many thousands of innocent people with
contrary “beliefs.” Beliefs once told us
we could not fly, and then Beliefs told
us we could, so we did.
When it comes to investigating the
paranormal, which belief is correct? Is
the scientific method the best? Or are
non-scientific methods better? Can I
become possessed? Can spirits hurt me?
Will a spirit follow me home if I don‟t
mentally surround myself with a bubble
P a g e 3
of “white light” or say a prayer be-
fore investigating or burn sage
smudge sticks? Are all psychics frauds?
The answers are: Absolutely yes,
and absolutely no. It all depends on
your beliefs. If you believe it is so,
then it is true for you.(1)
Beliefs are also responsible for all
of the good and all of the bad of both
religion and science, and I will go so
far as to say that science and religion
are principally the same thing. How
so? They both often approach life—
and especially the paranormal—with
preconceived notions. Religion in gen-
eral and mainstream science are both
essentially closed-minded.
In order to arrive at a balanced and
open-minded conclusion about the
best approach to investigating the
paranormal, consider the following
regarding fundamentalist religion and
fundamentalist science.
RELIGION
I have had an extreme interest in
all aspects of the paranormal since I
was a small child, having devoured
dozens of books and done much re-
search on the topic. To date, I can‟t
say with certainty that I‟ve ever had a
paranormal experience, but I‟m hop-
ing that will change. When I was
about nine years old, my friends and I
put together a makeshift Ouija board
using a blank sheet of paper and some
long-forgotten trinket to serve as a
planchette. It seemed to work—at
least to the minds of creative nine-
year olds—but we got so spooked that
we tore our “Ouija board” up and
never tried again. My great-
grandfather died when I was just a
toddler, and as I grew up, my
P a g e 4 2 9
cousins and I swore we saw strange things happening
at his house in Blackfoot, Idaho, including an appari-
tion of him walking with his cane. Again, undoubt-
edly the creations of imaginative children. It was at
this time that I did my first formal “paranormal in-
vestigation.”
My religious belief system put the kibosh on my
serious efforts to investigate the unexplained for
most of my life up until a few years ago, however I
still covertly read many books on the subject as well
as watched any documentary I could find. As a Jeho-
vah‟s Witness (JW),(2) my Christian belief system
dictated that spirits or ghosts of any kind were
“demons” or “fallen angels,” and we as a group
were warned that if we had anything to do with the
occult, it could open a channel for them to attack
us. The fear of demons was inculcated in us from
I remember when the
The answers are:
movie, “The Exorcist,” came
Absolutely yes,
out in the early seventies. The
and absolutely no. gossip train launched into full
It all depends on throttle as my religious friends
your beliefs. If began to recount all the mys-
you believe it is so, terious happenings during the
filming, or about how people
then it is true for
became
you.(1) “demonized” (possessed) by
simply watching it in the thea-
tre. Christian evangelist Billy Graham even claimed
an actual demon was living in the celluloid reels of
the 1973 movie (and he was absolutely correct—the
power of belief).(3) In retrospect, it was amazing
just how many of the religious people I knew were
almost mesmerized with “demons.” It was, at
times, sensationalized among them, after all, who
can resist a good ghost (or demon) story? There
were many “demon” stories floating around JW
circles, which makes sense. Cults usually attract
the lowly, the depressed, and people who can‟t or
won‟t think for themselves. Who better to imagine
that they‟ve seen demons than people with demons
of their own?
This naïve and Dark Ages‟ mentality of “demon-
fear” even spread to purchasing used items. For
example, I heard more than once that it “was not a
good idea to purchase items at garage sales be-
cause those items could be possessed; they could
O c t o b e r 2 0 0 9
infancy, and we were to yell God‟s
name out loud and flee if we saw any
sign of them. Of course, I now know
that this was simply cult mind control.
But as a result of this belief, we were
absolutely forbidden to have anything to
Leading Paranor-
do with Ouija boards, Tarot Cards, Me-
mal Investigator
diums, Psychics, Fortune Tellers, or Certification
Course (CLPI)
anything else that even smacked of the
occult—and this included some televi-
Learn how to be
sion shows or movies. Some JW‟s (not an effective
leader. This is a
all) would not even watch the comic comprehensive
television series, “Bewitched,” as they leadership course
that is useful for
were paranoid about “bringing demons secular applica-
tions as well.
into the house.” Even watching the
You'll never find a
Smurfs were thought by some to invite comparable lead-
ership course at
demons. this tuition!
bring „demons‟ into your home.” I never really believed
that—even as a Christian—and I can attest to the fact that
I‟ve purchased many things from garage sales over the
years and have never once had a problem with “demons,”
ghosts, or spirits of any kind. Damn it.
After 40 years of mind-numbing and soul-killing funda-
mentalist religion, I had had enough. I could no longer jus-
tify nor reconcile the concept of a loving God with the pain
and suffering of humanity. Furthermore, I was tired of lob-
bying a supernatural being (praying) to do the things he
ought to be doing anyway. I am now an Agnostic “Dougist.”
I believe in the indomitable power of the human spirit and
in having a truly open mind—not half open, and therefore,
not half closed. I do not believe that we need anything be-
yond ourselves to fix our problems. This is similar to the
beliefs of Secular Humanists, but they don‟t typically be-
lieve in the spirit world. At the risk of sounding ambiguous,
I neither believe nor disbelieve in spirits; however, the evi-
dence strongly suggests that something is indeed going on.
Whether this means dead people or the psychic manifesta-
tions of our own minds—or both—no one knows. This is why
I founded the SPIRITeam to try and find out.
Religion and Paranormal Investigations
The bottom line is that many religions (and every funda-
mentalist religion) regard ghosts and spirits as demons and
fallen angels—things to stay away from. They also denounce
anything of an occult nature, such as Ouija boards, psy-
chics, mediums, dowsing rods, Tarot cards, séances, hypno-
sis, and pendulums, etc. as satanic, or “from the Devil.”
 2 9 O c t o b e r 2 0 0 9
Could it be that some paranormal groups who profess to follow
the scientific method but denounce alternative approaches as
dangerous have allowed religious beliefs to cloud their think-
ing and half-close their otherwise open minds?
SCIENCE
Of all people, one would think that scientists would have
the most open of minds. However, this is not always the case,
at least not with mainstream science. These days, scientists in
general must play the political game if they are to be eligible
for grants or to get published in “respected” scientific jour-
nals. All too often, scientists in general have to balance true
open-mindedness with concerns of tenure, job promotions and
pay raises, acceptance, and academic stardom. To be sure,
many scientists exist who do believe in the paranormal, or at
least allow for it as a potential reality. However, to admit this
belief publicly would often mean the death-knell to their ca-
reers. To these open-minded scientists, I understand your pre-
dicament, and I applaud you for not mentally succumbing to
the “old school” beliefs of the last two centuries that will
soon die out when the old boys are gone. You may have to
play the game, but you don‟t have to sacrifice your soul. And
you never know, perhaps we‟ll even have a chance to talk
with these “good ole‟ boys” on the other side and see what
they believe now!
During the 19th century when the Darwinian theory of evo-
lution began to take hold, science made a concerted effort to
distance itself completely from anything that even hinted at
religion. A case in point is the concept of a global deluge, or
the Flood of Noah‟s day. Strong evidence exists that the earth
suffered widespread and regional flooding, although the story
of Noah building an Ark that could feed, water, and care for
thousands of animals does not stand up to deductive reason
nor is it logically feasible.(4) 19th century science categori-
cally denied any and all evidence of a flood because if a bibli-
cal flood was proven by science, then the Bible would be
proven by default, and science would not hear of such
„heresy.” Therefore, any scientist who published or promoted
the idea of widespread historical flooding could say goodbye
to his or her career.
Similarly, “Skeptics” and “Debunkers” are joined at the hip
with the religion of science, or “Scientism.”(5) To be fair, the
words “skeptic” and “debunker” are often used loosely and
can convey different shades of meaning with different intensi-
ties depending on the context. Technically, to “debunk”
means “to expose or ridicule the falseness, sham, or exagger-
ated claims of” a particular issue, and “skeptical” means
“marked by or given to doubt; questioning.”(6)
I like the following summation: “„Skeptical‟ means to ques-
tion and „Debunk‟ means to expose while ridiculing."(7) Using
the foregoing definitions, to be skeptical is healthy; it implies
that a person is open-minded and undecided, but is trying to
prove it one way or another. To debunk implies that the per-
son possesses preconceived notions from the outset and is
trying to prove it one particular way regardless of any evi-
dence to the contrary. Debunkers are no different than religi-
P a g e 5
onists in that they approach the issue with faith, which
is belief absent of evidence, or in this case, belief based
on denial of evidence.
It often impassions me when I watch a documentary
or read a book in which the current parade of skeptics
(debunkers) appear on cue to dismiss any compelling
evidence out of hand saying in effect, “No, it didn‟t hap-
pen; these people are kooks; it was simply their imagina-
tions or mass hysteria or mass delusion/hallucination,
etc.” They often speak with such cocky authority that
they almost seem believable. They fancy themselves as
open-minded and objective, but they are the very epit-
ome of what they claim they are not: closed-minded.
Even Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a principle consultant and
debunker for the U.S. Government‟s UFO Projects
Grudge and Blue Book as well as the credited originator
of the famous “Swamp Gas” UFO explanation, (8) could
no longer deny what the evidence suggested. Late in
life, he became a believer. Underscoring the predilec-
tion of many scientists and hard-core skeptics
(debunkers) to ignore compelling evidence, Dr. Hynek
once said, "As a scientist I must be mindful of the past;
all too often it has happened that matters of great value
to science were overlooked because the new phenome-
non did not fit the accepted scientific outlook of the
time."(9) He was obviously a scientist who could not
keep his mind even partially closed indefinitely.
SCIENCE AND PARANORMAL
INVESTIGATIONS
The bottom line is that many scientists today ignore
compelling evidence of the paranormal with an almost
blind faith usually associated with religion. This cor-
rupted thinking has also infected some paranormal
groups who categorically reject out of hand any non-
scientific means of answering paranormal questions. To
be sure, any paranormal research group must be some-
what open-minded, or they would not be doing what
they do. But could it be that they have allowed the relig-
ion of Scientism to partially close their minds to mean-
ingful alternatives?
Another valid question also arises, “Can the paranormal
be explained in scientific terms?” I personally believe
that it can because there are physical laws governing
different dimensions or planes of existence (do some
research on recent discoveries in quantum physics).
However, I do not believe that the technology yet exists
to recreate or duplicate “scientifically” what our crea-
tive “right brains” perceive. In other words, using scien-
tific or non-scientific tools, we cannot force a ghost to
materialize on demand.
P a g e 6 2 9
CONCLUSIONS
In the world of paranormal investigation, many re-
searchers are certainly well educated in the field, but
the term “expert” is relative because nobody conclu-
sively understands nor can they prove exactly what is
going on—and empirical evidence definitely suggests
something is going on.
In our efforts to discover whatever truths exist, we
as a paranormal research community must aspire to and
advocate the true scientific method, that is, “the open-
minded search to discover and explain reality, whatever
that means and wherever that takes us.” Furthermore,
we must not allow preconceived notions or beliefs to
dissuade us from using any and all tools at our disposal,
regardless of whether they are scientifically or intui-
tively based.
In her article, “Science, Scientism, and Anti-Science
in the Age of Preposterism,”(10) Philosophy Professor
Susan Haack wrote:
"The genuine inquirer wants to get to the truth of
the matter that concerns him, whether or not that truth
comports with what he believed at the outset of his
investigation, and whether or not his acknowledgement
of that truth is likely to get him tenure, or to make him
rich, famous, or popular. So he is motivated to seek out
and assess the worth of evidence and arguments thor-
oughly and impartially. This doesn't just mean that he
will be hard-working; it is a matter, rather, of willing-
ness to re-think, to re-appraise, to spend as long as it
takes on the detail that might be fatal, to give as much
thought to the last one percent as to the rest. The
genuine inquirer will be ready to acknowledge, to him-
self as well as others, where his evidence and argu-
ments seem shakiest, and his articulation of problem or
solution vaguest. He will be willing to go with the evi-
dence even to unpopular conclusions, and to welcome
someone else's having found the truth he was seeking.
And, far from having a motive to obfuscate, he will try
to see and explain things as clearly as he can."
During the Dark Ages, Galileo‟s life was all but ru-
ined by the Catholic Hierarchy because he dared to pub-
lish his scientific findings that the sun (and not the
earth) was the center of the solar system. Human arro-
gance has plagued our species for millennia, and
whether that arrogance states that we are the center of
the universe, or whether there is only one way to ap-
proach paranormal investigation, it is still arrogance.
True science is open to all possibilities and methods.
True science is about discovery. True science does not
arrogantly approach unexplained events with precon-
ceived notions.
If we are to really discover what lies beyond this
O c t o b e r 2 0 0 9
plane of existence (if anything), we also must not allow
ancient belief systems born at a time when humanity
attributed bad storms to angry gods to deprive us of po-
tentially useful tools and color our perceptions with pre-
conceived notions. We must open our minds completely
and then use our power of deductive reasoning to deter-
mine which tool or approach fits any particular situation
best.
Like every other paranormal researcher, I want to
know the truth; I want to know the reality of spirits,
UFO‟s, mysterious creatures, and the like. And if it
means using electronic tools such as cameras and digital
recorders combined with intuitive tools such as psychics
and séances, then so be it. I want to know. And no dis-
abling belief contrived from fundamentalist religion or
fundamentalist science will stop me.
A half-open mind is still half-closed.
End Notes
(1) For more on this, read my article, “On the Existence of Ghosts,
Demons, and Possession” available at http://www.paranexus.org.
(2) FYI for any JW‟s: I deliberately did not use the phrase, “one of
Jehovah‟s Witnesses.”
(3) About.com, http://horror.about.com/od/everythingexorcist/a/
faq_exorcist.htm.
(4) http://www.abarnett.demon.co.uk/atheism/noahs_ark.html.
(5) “Scientism is the belief that the assumptions, methods and even
the speculations of science are equally appropriate, if not essential,
for the proper understanding of all knowledge including religion.
Scientism explicitly denies both the special revelation of truth and
the existence of a sovereign, supernatural and eternal being. In the
religion of Scientism, the Cosmos (matter, energy, time and space)
is believed to be eternal and the only ultimate reality. Scientism
teaches that all things have their being and origin in the intrinsic
properties of nature. It follows that if gods were to exist, they too
would only be a part and product of nature. The social and philoso-
phical implications of Scientism for man are embodied in the relig-
ion of Secular Humanism.” — David N. Menton, Ph.d, “Carl Sagan:
Prophet of Scientism,” Copyright (c) 1991 Missouri Association for
Creation, Inc. http://emporium.turnpike.net/C/cs/sagan.htm.
(6) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language,
Fourth Edition, Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
(7) The Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation, http://
www.vaparanormalconference.com/about.php.
(8) http://www.cohenufo.org/willnusaddendum.htm.
(9) Sarah Schneiman and Pat Daniels, editors; Mysteries of the Un-
known: The UFO Phenomenon; Time Life Books, 1987; ISBN
0809463245
(10) As published in “Skeptical Inquirer” magazine, November/
December 1997 issue. http://www.csicop.org/si/9711/
preposterism.html.
P a g e 7 2 9 O c t o b e r 2 0 0 9

P a r a p s y c h o l o g y
F a c t a n d F i c t i o n
B y D a v i d D e s j a r d i n s C D

within the field, will not be found in the wee hours

The word parapsychology is synonymous with mod-
walking through cemeteries or breaking into abandoned
ern paranormal research, with more and more
buildings for thrills and chills, they will not be found
“Parapsychologists” appearing, seemingly, on a daily
entertaining audiences or telling you your future. They
basis. Common misconceptions would have the subject
can however, be found conducting experimentation
covering everything from ghosts and apparitions to
within controlled environments in a scientific and me-
cryptozoology. Quick internet searches yield results
thodical manner. Findings will be recorded, catalogued
such as paranormal investigators, psychic entertainers,
and presented for review by their peers and research
magicians, “paranormalists” and a host of other pseu-
papers will be written for publication.
doscience and fringe topics.
So the next time you come across an individual or
With all these different definitions floating around
organization claiming to be comprised of
it can be hard for the uninitiated to grasp the true
“Parapsychologists” or study parapsychology, a review
meaning behind the term parapsychology so I‟d like to
of the facts will validate the legitimacy of such a
set the record straight and dispel as many myth‟s as I
claim.
can in a short article.
One thought I would like to pose with regards to
Parapsychology is the study of events which fall
what type of experiences fall within these categories,
within one of three categories classified as, direct
is regarding alien abductions. Many correlations can be
mental interactions with living systems (PK), extra sen-
made between reported abductions throughout history
sory perception (ESP) and the survival hypothesis. All
and experiences reported in a haunting in that abduc-
of which are associated with the human experience.
tees' often report activity that closely resembles that
Examples of the aforementioned categories include:
of large scale PK phenomena with telepathy used as
 Near Death Experiences (NDE); the primary means of communication between the visi-
tor and the human contact.
 Out of Body Experiences (OBE);
Could it be that some abductions are not physical at
 Poltergeist or large scale PK phenomena; all, but psychological or psychic in nature with any
resulting physical injuries being psychosomatic? More
 Telepathy; research is indeed required to properly to answer this
question, however, it is my belief that such accounts
 Reincarnations;
have a direct bearing on the human experience and I
 Place Memory (residual haunting); feel the topic valid for consideration.

 Psi and AnPsi (Psi in animals);

 Presentiment;

 Precognition; and

 Clairvoyance.

Parapsychologists do not adopt the title lightly or on

a whim because it sounds impressive as some may as-
sume. Researchers into parapsychology hold post
graduate degrees and PhD‟s in such fields as psychol-
ogy, spiritual psychology, theology, psychics, biology,
and philosophy, to name just a few. True researchers
2 9 O c t o b e r 2 0 0 9 P a g e 8

G i z m o s a n d G a d g e t s
B O S S M i c r o B R
B y D a v i d D e s j a r d i n s C D
For those of you that Additional features include: Input/output jacks for
are familiar with this little Guitar/Bass, external stereo microphone, line out or
gem, you‟re no doubt headphones; recorded data can be converted, within the
thinking that I‟ve lost my Micro BR to MP3, Wav or downloaded to computer; the
mind. Please bear with me unit can function as an MP3 or Wav file player allowing
and I‟ll explain. To every- the user to take their music with them when not re-
one else, I‟d like to intro- cording; trainer function allows user to playback MP3 or
duce the BOSS Micro BR. WAV files at a slower tempo or eliminate the sound local-
Intended as a palm size, 4 ized at the center of the sound field; runs on 2x AA bat-
track recording studio for teries (included) or PSA AC adapter (not included); and
musicians, guitarists in includes a 128 Mb SD card.
particular, the Micro BR
does double duty as one of CON’s: As with anything there are a few con‟s associ-
the better digital voice ated with this unit. First of all is battery life. It is a bat-
BOSS Micro BR recorders I‟ve ever used tery pig, with brand new or fully charged batteries lasting
for investigations. Due to maybe 3 hours of constant recording, tops. The power
the fact that the unit was adapter is well worth the extra few bucks and lessens your
intended as a “professional” level multi track recording device frustration of running out of juice.
BOSS has made it to live up to that standard in recording.
No external speakers. Quality headphones or a set of
Slightly larger than an iPod touch and smaller than its in- external speakers are required if you want to review any
struction booklet, the BOSS Micro BR offers such features as audio recorded.
built in microphone, which, because the recorder has no moving
parts, records great quality for its size with next to no ambient Bottom Line: This unit is intended for musicians. I‟m
hiss which is inherent to other digital voice recorders. Aside the one that has gone and twisted it to my own devices.
from the musician aspects such as the 4 track (32 virtual track) If you are not musically inclined or have no real use for
recording capabilities, guitar amp modeling, 300 drum patterns, guitar effects and drum patterns you may wish to look at
chorus, flangers and a host of other guitar FX features, the Micro other recording products out there that are a little more
BR stands out with its ability to record in three different com- user friendly (not that this is hard to learn). For me the
pression formats. key feature is in the playback, the onboard multi-effects
processors and time stretch ability in the palm of my
While recording in MP3 mode you are able to use the multi hand. I don‟t have to transfer files and open up sound
effects processor which includes such things as an equalizer for editors to hear what dearly departed uncle Fred is trying
isolating certain frequencies, the ability to highlight vocals to say to me saving time in the field.
while cutting background noise and a time stretch algorithm,
which allows the user to slow down the recording in increments Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, but as far as
without changing the pitch. This feature alone makes on the digital voice recorders go for functionality, the BOSS Micro
spot review of questionable captured audio a breeze. BR gets my thumbs up. Besides, even if you get abso-
lutely no evidence what so ever, you have almost 300
Using the supplied mini USB cable makes connecting the Mi- drum patterns to pass the time with. What could be more
cro BR to a computer quick and painless, plus, due to the fact fun than that?
that it records on a standard SD card, even if you don‟t have a
cable with you, all that is required is to pop out the card and Additional information may be found by visiting BOSS USA
plug it into any computer with a card reader. There are no soft- http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?
ware requirements with this product as everything is onboard ProductId=818
and as long as you have a few SD cards running out of recording
space isn‟t a problem either.
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