Zelscope for $20 - Windows software scope!

[tamasic1]

I've never used a scope but want to try learning. I'm building a portable headphone amp and want to learn to use the oscope to tweak it. These look like some great programs. Any thought on which would be better for a novice?

[jan.didden]

Originally posted by lineup
hello

Here is a Fourier analys
of a 1 kHz sinus 1.0 Volt,
generated by my fucntion generator

Using Zelscope Oscillope.

Picture was exported using the built 'Export as .BMP'
Then I made it smaller and converted.

It's difficult to read the (linear?) scale but it looks like 10% 2nd harmonic?

Jan Didden

[Pjotr]

Originally posted by awpagan
any analogue signal into a pc will have "pc" noise on it and needs compensation before converting to digital, but the idea works well for a cheap solution.

Hi Allan,

What do you mean by “PC noise”? My build in PCI card has actually less noise than my external USB soundcard. Measured spurs in loop-trough are below –120 dB and are below distortion components.

It is actually not an oscilloscope but my favourite program for doing audio analysis is ARTA. Very well written, easy to use, very complete and works with almost any soundcard. The free demo version has no limits except you cannot save to files. But you can however copy the results from your screen and save them through any image program

Cheers

[cpemma]

Originally posted by neutron7
...maybe a USB2 scope would be a cool project.

http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=28014

Kit, $140

Technical Specifications:

* 2 Channels
* 1 Ms/s Maximum Sample Rate with One Channel
* 500 Ks/s Sample Rate with Two Channels
* 20 Vpp Maximum Input for Channel 1 and Channel 2
* 200 kHz Bandwidth
* 8-Bit Vertical Resolution
* 1 M Ohm Input Impedance
* Trigger on Rising or Falling Edge at any Voltage
* Variable Trigger voltage on Channels 1 and 2
* Horizontal Trigger Position Settings at 10%, 50%, and 90%
* Auto and Normal Trigger Modes
* 3 probes
* USB 1.1 Support (no additional power supply required!)

Well, close.

[lineup]

Originally posted by cpemma

Maybe this is something:
http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=28014
Kit, $140, Technical Specifications:
* 2 Channels
* 1 Ms/s Maximum Sample Rate with One Channel
* 500 Ks/s Sample Rate with Two Channels
* 20 Vpp Maximum Input for Channel 1 and Channel 2
* 200 kHz Bandwidth
* 8-Bit Vertical Resolution

€120 ~ $140
.... yes, this is NOT too Expensive

What I would like is some good solution aimed for Audio Anlog signals.
Most products out there are, naturally, good for digital signals and for collecting data from sensors and monitoring data for longer time.

And the more close to Audio Hifi Quality we get( above average mp3 level )
the fewer good alternatives in an acceptable price range - for normal Diy Builders doing this for a hobby.

Looking for good free alternatives it most sure not the way.
But we may find some applications with good resolution in bits & time (at least 16bits ,48 kilo samples per second; preferably 24bits, 192 ksps)
at an acceptable proce budget, 'for normallly rich people'.

There are some really good soundcards for PC, out there!
With true high hifi.
Which ones of those, include a software for 'oscilloscope like measurings'?
... this will also be good for direct PC-Recordings of my old Vinyl Collections, for to burn (with little compression)
to CD or DVD

Regards lineup - has still got a cheap simple Creative Live soundcard
... but will possibly soon invest in a super audio card (with RIAA phono amplifier)


==================================================
Info, Wikipedia, Sampling (signal processing):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samplin..._processing%29

Transfer vinyl records to DVD-Audio discs

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Transferring vinyl records to DVD-Audio discs will help you to :

*
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*
Convert them to a media that is more easily transportable and usable. We have many customers who converted their audio material to DVD-Audio discs to be able to listen to it in their cars equipped with DVD-Audio systems (Acura, Lexus). You will be able to enjoy your transferred vinyl in places without turntable.
*
Archive your vinyl records to a DVD media that is rated to last between 20 years and 100 years if handled with reasonable care. This protects your records against the slow degradation of time.

[FastEddy]

http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=28014 = " ... USB 1.1 Support (no additional power supply required!) ..." ...



You know that all that is really needed for an audio 'scope is a decent ADC / DAC and the software to display the incoming signal properly with "freeze frame" capability.

[lineup]

Originally posted by FastEddy
http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=28014 = " ... USB 1.1 Support (no additional power supply required!) ..." ...



You know that all that is really needed for an audio 'scope is a decent ADC / DAC and the software to display the incoming signal properly with "freeze frame" capability.

Simple as that.
Yes, why complicate things ( KISS = Keep It Simple Simple )

Now,
A good soundcard for Audio means to me:
- It have a good ADC/DAC onboard high resultion(24bits) and fast sampling
- It has preferably good input/output possibilities,
- digital SPDIF koaxial and TOSLINK is a minimum
- analog RCA Phono and stereo 3mm jack would be good
- maybe more professional analog inputs, like XLR etc.
- Good software support for the buyer .. upgrades, online downloads etc.

- There is no disadvantage (maybe is best!) if the soundcard is external
This would make connections easy, instead of back of PC.
Will maybe also exclude some disurbance from PC digital frequencies/powersupply junk.

lineup

[FastEddy]

" ... A good soundcard for Audio means to me:
- It have a good ADC/DAC onboard high resultion(24bits) and fast sampling
- It has preferably good input/output possibilities,
- digital SPDIF koaxial and TOSLINK is a minimum
- analog RCA Phono and stereo 3mm jack would be good
- maybe more professional analog inputs, like XLR etc.
- Good software support for the buyer .. upgrades, online downloads etc.

- There is no disadvantage (maybe is best!) if the soundcard is external ..."

... likewise I'm sure ... and as long as the "wish list" is being writ large: make mine a FireWire 800 interface so's it can handle something bigger, badder and broaderband than USB2, Gigabit EtherNet or iSCSI / Fibrechannel / whathaveyou ...