Small external oscilloscope?

insoul8 · Post by **insoul8** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 9:20 am

Is there a small external oscilloscope I can buy that has 1/8" inputs and a pass through so i can put it in different spots within my modular setup to see waveforms? I don't necessarily just want to monitor the final output. I also don't want to waste space in my case.

euromorcego · Post by **euromorcego** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 9:35 am

insoul8 wrote:Is there a small external oscilloscope I can buy that has 1/8" inputs and a pass through so i can put it in different spots within my modular setup to see waveforms? I don't necessarily just want to monitor the final output. I also don't want to waste space in my case.

any scope will do if you use a passive mult or a stackcable (for pass-through) and a BNC to jack adapter (which is cheap).

insoul8 · Post by **insoul8** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 9:43 am

Are there any smaller, cheap ones that are particularly good that you guys use? i don't really need it to do much except visualize the waveform. it would be nice if it had more than one channel but that's not a deal breaker.

starthief · Post by **starthief** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 9:47 am

I have a pocket oscilloscope with an MCX connector, and wound up with an MCX to BNC cable and a BNC to 3.5mm adapter, which I plug into a Y splitter cable. Not elegant at all, but it works, more or less.

I recently got a Jones O'Tool Plus, and can say it's definitely not a waste of rack space. It's far more accurate, has dual traces to compare a module's input with its output, a dual tuner, useful level and voltage meters, built-in passive mults. It's right there when I need it, with no worries about poor battery life and recharging via USB, and no semi-functional touchscreen to muck around with.

insoul8 · Post by **insoul8** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 9:56 am

starthief wrote:I have a pocket oscilloscope with an MCX connector, and wound up with an MCX to BNC cable and a BNC to 3.5mm adapter, which I plug into a Y splitter cable. Not elegant at all, but it works, more or less.

I recently got a Jones O'Tool Plus, and can say it's definitely not a waste of rack space. It's far more accurate, has dual traces to compare a module's input with its output, a dual tuner, useful level and voltage meters, built-in passive mults. It's right there when I need it, with no worries about poor battery life and recharging via USB, and no semi-functional touchscreen to muck around with.

Yea, i saw the O'Tool and it looks really nice. I will probably get it if i ever expand my rack but for now, I'm keeping the 6u so want to go external to save space.

euromorcego · Post by **euromorcego** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 10:25 am

I have a DSO136: http://www.jyetech.com/Products/LcdScope/e138.php

The diy version is pretty cheap ($20 or so), there are lot of counterfeit versions offered in ebay and aliexpress which are hard to distinguish.

It is a very basic scope but good enough to view waveforms. Several people converted it into eurorack (a lot hp). The newer version, the DSO Shell looks also good, better than the DSO136, but I have no used it. Both are DIY but simple to build. The licenced versions are a bit more expensive (about $40) but the asian sellers are flooded with cheap copies.

I also have a XMEGA Xprotolab http://www.gabotronics.com/development- ... otolab.htm
It is a bit more expensive (but not DIY), dual signal (which means you can view two waveforms at once, also x-y) and is super tiny.

Tsyklon labs uses it for a 1u tile oscilloscope ("Trace"): http://tsyklon.com/plitka/

I'll also put mine in a 1U tile but right now just have it on a breadboard (which works fine). It is a quite nice scope. Just be aware that it is really tiny.

In general I would advise to either go for super cheap ($50 and below) just to view waveforms (it is worth it!) or get a proper scope. Imho it makes little sense to go for a $150 handheld not-really-cheap but also-not-really-functional one.

js213 · Post by **js213** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 10:45 am

I use this DSO scope.

Voltage Control Labs has a video with some tips on using it I found helpful

insoul8 · Post by **insoul8** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 10:59 am

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

DSC · Post by **DSC** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 7:01 pm

Go 1U if you can. Makes it easy to check waveform and you don't have to wonder where you left/put your scope last

akairipper · Post by **akairipper** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 10:37 pm

https://retronics.wordpress.com/2012/07 ... illoscope/

www.maplin.co.uk/p/velleman-2ch-wifi-di ... s210-n71dp

aeon_flux · Post by **aeon_flux** » Sat Oct 07, 2017 9:59 am

how about iphone + cheapest irig dongle?

https://analog.boutique/wp-content/uplo ... 417563.jpg

CollinRussell · Post by **CollinRussell** » Sat Oct 07, 2017 11:07 am

I find a lot of desktop scopes at electronics swap meets for super cheap.

Moderator edit: no sales here until you have 100 posts, and then only in the Buy Sell Trade forum. The rules: viewtopic.php?t=34546

Koryo · Post by **Koryo** » Sat Oct 07, 2017 2:27 pm

Got this a long time ago. Didn't know it would become so useful again.

Tektronix 222PS

Portable, wall/battery powered, 2ch, CRT oscilloscope.
It's sized very nicely for modular.

insoul8 · Post by **insoul8** » Sat Oct 07, 2017 4:14 pm

Koryo wrote:Got this a long time ago. Didn't know it would become so useful again.

Tektronix 222PS

Portable, wall/battery powered, 2ch, CRT oscilloscope.
It's sized very nicely for modular.

That looks like it would work perfectly for me. I’ll have to see if there are any out there for a good price. Thanks.

richc90 · Post by **richc90** » Sat Oct 07, 2017 4:18 pm

aeon_flux wrote:how about iphone + cheapest irig dongle?

https://analog.boutique/wp-content/uplo ... 417563.jpg

What app is that and how does it work with CV?

aeon_flux · Post by **aeon_flux** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 8:33 am

richc90 wrote:
aeon_flux wrote:how about iphone + cheapest irig dongle?

https://analog.boutique/wp-content/uplo ... 417563.jpg
What app is that and how does it work with CV?

app: https://itunes.apple.com/pl/app/oscillo ... 36804?mt=8
same developer also offers nice fft plot app.

it is using audio in, so it is not differentiating unipolar/bipolar signals but it should show both (cv and audio, audio was shown on picture)

jhsa · Post by **jhsa** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 9:08 am

aeon_flux wrote:
richc90 wrote:
aeon_flux wrote:how about iphone + cheapest irig dongle?

https://analog.boutique/wp-content/uplo ... 417563.jpg
What app is that and how does it work with CV?
app: https://itunes.apple.com/pl/app/oscillo ... 36804?mt=8
same developer also offers nice fft plot app.

it is using audio in, so it is not differentiating unipolar/bipolar signals but it should show both (cv and audio, audio was shown on picture)

I've been using that particular app now for a while. Works well enough, but last week I ordered O'Tool+ (should arrive tomorrow). Offers more options and I actually prefer to have it inside the rack.

abelovesfun · Post by **abelovesfun** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:30 am

On my bench I use a Tektronix, but for module demos and eye candy, I sue the DSO, here is a guide as to how to put it in Euro:
https://aisynthesis.com/cheap-eurorack-oscilloscope/

touyube · Post by **sduck** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:44 pm

These guys can be had for not very much $ - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-DSO211 ... 5731.m3795

djd_oz · Post by **djd_oz** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 10:26 pm

aeon_flux wrote:how about iphone + cheapest irig dongle?

https://analog.boutique/wp-content/uplo ... 417563.jpg

Can it handle/display slow CV signals?

Sandrine · Post by **Sandrine** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 10:58 am

Is it just my limited experience with modern DSO's or do people just except the horrible scan rate?
For decades I worked at a shop with all sorts of giant Tektronix CRT scopes and have come to love the "real time" display rate as it allows detection of nuances in a signal that are totally missed by any of the LCD DSO's I have.
After having dumped all of my equipment to move onto a boat, I'm back looking for a nice little scope to fit into my studio (like the one mentioned above 222B)

I have a $3500 Tektronix DSO that, while accurate and exceptional, has a crappy update rate that lags up to 1 second, and is never less than 500mS.
It's like watching a movie at 2 frames/second, totally sucks for me.

I've seen video of eurorack modular scopes for around $100 that seem to have a fast update rate...but the resolution isn't great

Are there LCD scopes that flow like a "real" scope anyone? Or are they all screen capture types now?

Sandrine · Post by **Sandrine** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 11:51 am

I just bought me one of those Tektronix 222 scopes on ebay

Thanks insoul8! I've been searching for quite a while and looks like this will fit the bill

Koa · Post by **Koa** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 4:23 pm

I ordered a DSO Coral (the upgrade to their old 112, the principal scope base that some have used for a eurorack module retrofit)

I will let you know how it goes. It looks to be quite promising.

Analog bandwidth: 0 - 2MHz
Sampling rate: 5Msps max
Sensitivity: 2mV/Div - 20V/Div
Sensitivity error: < 5%
Timebase: 1us/Div - 50s/Div
Record length: 512/1024 points
Built-in test signal with multiple frequencies
USB connection
Ability to upload captured raw data as CSV file
Battery/USB powered

Old/Magnets · Post by **Old/Magnets** » Wed Oct 11, 2017 2:26 pm

there are a lot of daw plug ins and phone apps that are useful. I got my Oscilloscope for $40 on facebook market place. I actually got two for $80. Couldn't believe it. Especially after looking at other models on ebay for $200+[/url]

Old/Magnets · Post by **Old/Magnets** » Wed Oct 11, 2017 2:29 pm

You kinda need to watch out for those cheap digital oscilloscopes. At least get a good review before you buy. The refresh rate is horrible

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Small external oscilloscope?

Small external oscilloscope?

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