What Is the Best Oscilloscope for Demonstrating Sound Waveforms?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for oscilloscopes suitable for demonstrating sound waveforms at the undergraduate/AP level. Participants explore various types of oscilloscopes, including digital and USB-based options, and discuss associated equipment such as microphones and probes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests starting with an inexpensive USB-based oscilloscope for audio applications, arguing that a high-frequency scope is unnecessary for this purpose.
  • Another participant mentions using a specific software (Winscope) that utilizes a computer's microphone input for sound waveform analysis.
  • A later reply emphasizes the importance of purchasing a dedicated oscilloscope due to limited funding, comparing options between a B&K digital oscilloscope and an Instek analog one.
  • Several participants advocate for digital oscilloscopes, highlighting their flexibility, ability to save and transfer waveforms, and overall advantages over analog models.
  • One participant questions the value of the B&K model, suggesting it may not offer the best features for the price.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is a general agreement among participants that digital oscilloscopes are preferable for the intended applications. However, there is no consensus on which specific model is the best choice, as participants express differing opinions on the B&K and Instek options.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not resolved the specific features or performance comparisons between the recommended oscilloscopes, and there are varying opinions on the necessity of a high-frequency scope for audio demonstrations.

txphy
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Hello- I'd like to do some basic demonstrations of sound waveforms on the undergrad/AP level using an oscilloscope, and wanted to know what specific recommendations you experts have about microphones, specific connections to the device, which probes to get, and also any comments about this particular oscilloscope:

http://www.grainger.com/product/B-K-PRECISION-Digital-Oscilloscope-14K233?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/14K233_AS01?$smthumb$

I've never worked with a digital scope before and it's been many years since I've used an analog one, so some basic suggestions would be much appreciated! With thanks!
 
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txphy said:
Hello- I'd like to do some basic demonstrations of sound waveforms on the undergrad/AP level using an oscilloscope, and wanted to know what specific recommendations you experts have about microphones, specific connections to the device, which probes to get, and also any comments about this particular oscilloscope:

http://www.grainger.com/product/B-K-PRECISION-Digital-Oscilloscope-14K233?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/14K233_AS01?$smthumb$

I've never worked with a digital scope before and it's been many years since I've used an analog one, so some basic suggestions would be much appreciated! With thanks!

Welcome to the PF.

If you are mainly interested in audio at the moment, you should be able to just use an inexpensive USB-based oscilloscope with your PC/laptop. You don't need a 40MHz 'scope to work with audio. It may be best to start small/inexpensive with the microphone and a USB 'scope, IMO. Then as you start thinking about other projects (digital logic, etc.), you can look at buying a full-size 'scope.

EDIT -- here are some images of USB-based oscilloscopes: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...msedr...0...1ac.1.60.img..0.8.409.5sBea3JYO6I

:-)
 
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berkeman said:
If you are mainly interested in audio at the moment, you should be able to just use an inexpensive USB-based oscilloscope with your PC/laptop.
Hey berkeman. I've had this Winscope program that uses your computers microphone input for years. It was first designed for Win 95 :olduhh: but works fine on my Dell w/ Windows 7; Go figure.
 
Perfect!
 
The computer based options are neat, but I'm in a position now where I can purchase a dedicated oscilloscope, and the funds will be gone soon, so here's my one chance. I can get either a B&K digital one or an Instek analog one from my approved vendors, as below:

http://www.grainger.com/product/B-K-PRECISION-Digital-Oscilloscope-14K233?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/14K233_AS01?$smthumb$ http://www.fishersci.com/ecomm/servlet/itemdetail?storeId=10652&langId=-1&catalogId=29104&productId=2079745&distype=0&highlightProductsItemsFlag=Y&fromSearch=1&searchType=PROD&hasPromo=0

Thoughts? Thanks!
 
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txphy said:
I can get either a B&K digital one or an Instek analog one

I would recommend that you get a digital one. They are much more flexible, and probably have an interface to upload waveforms to a PC for documentation and analysis.
 
Absolutely buy a digital scope. Period. End of discussion. You can save waveforms, transfer them to pc, control from pc, all kinds of good things. If the B&K is the only choice, then go for it, but it may not be the most featured for the money.