SV: [sdiy] scope recommendations wanted (or even "wtb: scope in england")

[WeAreAs1 at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/20/05 6:58:14 AM, elektrodwarf at yahoo.se writes:

<< If you don't need anything too fancy and don't have a

lot of money, build a soundcard scope....  only goes

to 44khz (or whatever your soundcard takes) but is

small and doesn't really cost much. Do a google for

it. >>

Unfortunately, soundcard-based scopes will only measure AC signals.  This is 
because all soundcards are AC-coupled at the inputs (with coupling capacitors, 
which block all incoming DC).  A lot of what we synth builders need to look 
at are DC signals (or AC signals that are superimposed upon DC, or very 
slow-moving DCm such as LFO's and envelope generator signals).  Being limited to 
seeing only AC signals will severely limit the kind of troubleshooting and 
analysis that you can do.  And yes, of course we also use our voltmeters to look at 
DC, but very often, we need to be able to actually see the signal, and your 
digital voltmeter just won't cut it.  If you are able to afford it, I strongly 
recommend that you get a proper hardware scope.

Mike B.