Capturing voices from "beyond" on tape recorder or other audio recording devices is called Electronic Voice Phenomena or EVP. Researchers have been experimenting with EVP for over 50 years and even Thomas Edison was working on a machine to record EVPs until his death.

I am not saying that every voice that you record is from the dead, just like every psychic photo may not be. Who's to say that just because someone records a voice in a quiet environment that it necessarily a "ghost"? It may be, but so far many voices I have heard and recorded myself are unexplainable.

So, you want to tape a ghost? First you'll need a tape recorder. A digital recorder or one that needs tape both work well. An external microphone is helpful with the old fashioned recorders since without one you tend to record the mechanism inside that's running and tends to interfere with interpreting a EVP. It is also very important to be in a quiet environment. A cemetery is a great place to get EVPs, but there is always a car going by or some outside noise. A good place to record EVPs as creepy as it seems is a controlled environment like your house. No, your house doesn't have to be haunted, but there are spirits out there that are "dying" (sorry) to communicate and your house is a good place to get them. I know it can be a bit expensive but using a new tape every time eliminates doubt as to whether you got a voice or it was on tape previously. Also a bit of white noise will help since the "spirit" seems to use whatever noise is available to manufacture their voice. The hum of a fan on low speed works very well.

The best time I have found to get EVPs is from 10pm to 4am. I don't know why but it seems to work. A good rule is to tell the "spirits" your intention; that is that you want to communicate with them. You can ask questions and leave 15-30 seconds at the end for a response or just let the tape run. Don't get discouraged, you WILL get them.