Using white noise generators for EVP work—does anyone still do this or is it outdated?

I've been getting back into ghost hunting after a ten-year break, and I'm trying to figure out what equipment actually works vs. what's just expensive nonsense. Back in the day, everyone was using white noise generators, radios on static, and fancy digital recorders. Now it seems like half the communities moved to using phone apps, which feels... dodgy?

So genuine question: for EVP (electronic voice phenomena) work, is white noise still the best baseline method? And does anyone have recommendations for actual good equipment that won't cost me £300?

I'm planning a trip to Pendle Hill in Lancashire this autumn and want to do this properly.

White noise is still solid. What's changed is that we understand the mechanism better now - it's basically providing source material for pareidolia to work on, which is exactly what you want for EVP. The key is consistency: use the same method every time so you can compare recordings.

If you want cheap and cheerful, get a basic digital voice recorder (£20-30 from Argos) and do a control recording with white noise, then one without. Phone apps are unreliable because phones pick up too much ambient interference. Also, Pendle Hill is a brilliant choice - the history there is genuinely eerie.

Honestly, the £300 equipment is overkill unless you're doing serious baseline measurements. What matters more is technique: ask clear questions, leave long pauses, be respectful. I've had better EVP results with a cheap recorder and good methodology than I have with fancy kit operated badly.

White noise is fine but radio static is actually better because it gives your brain more 'material' to work with. Try a portable AM/FM radio on a weak signal, or download some radio static audio files. Then you've got options for comparing equipment.

One tip: if you're going to Pendle, go during autumn equinox if you can. The veil is thinner around the equinoxes. And definitely do your homework on the history - the more you know about the location, the better your questions will be, and the better your EVP results tend to be.