Why you need an oscilloscope

[cleansoundzz 10+ year member]

Me too. Seems like a handy tool.

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

im getting one. Someone post a link to so 0db test tones please. I cant find any.w

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

im getting one. Someone post a link to so 0db test tones please. I cant find any.w

Make your own here:

Online Sine Tone Waveform Generator

These are good go-to 0dB tones:

Realm of Excursion

Also,

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/general-discussion/494751-test-tone-collection.html

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

awesome

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

What should i set the sample rate to on the generator

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

DSO firmware version 3.64

Seeedstudio Forum • View topic - DSO firmware version 3.64

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

double post... forum is laggy

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

What should i set the sample rate to on the generator

The default (44.1kHz) is fine, or go 48kHz. Shouldn't matter too much, it's only a test tone. But for music, the highest you can get is what you want.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

How does this prove you need an O Scope over using the DMM method? You only provided data for 1 solution.

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

How does this prove you need an O Scope over using the DMM method? You only provided data for 1 solution.

This thread may not show an oscope vs. a DMM, but we all know a DMM is only a guess. You just looking to improve the thread? I could see what you mean, showing an assumed 2k out of an amp vs. what it actually does via oscope, for example. That's what I plan on doing once I finally get my new build up.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

This thread may not show an oscope vs. a DMM, but we all know a DMM is only a guess. You just looking to improve the thread? I could see what you mean, showing an assumed 2k out of an amp vs. what it actually does via oscope, for example. That's what I plan on doing once I finally get my new build up.

Just curious. This thread doesnt prove anything other than an O Scope does work. It doesnt show alternative methods do or do not work. You cant compare 1 thing against another and say that option A is better without providing data for both options.

The DMM method is more than a guess. Its an educated guess with mathematical equations involved.

Id like to see data from the OP using the DMM method on the same setup or from TFade.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Dbl post

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

The DMM method is OK, as long as you're aware it makes you rely on your ears to know if the signal is clipped. Both the DMM method and the oscilloscope method depend on what you use for test tones. The argument has been made a hundred times against using 0 dB tones for subs and mids. It results in disappointment because your music will sound too quiet, which is why every time this discussion comes up someone has to suggest -10 to -5 dB attenuated tones instead of 0 dB tones. Of course if all you listen to is compressed music with no dynamic range that needs to be considered as well. Use your head.

Neither method is safe to use for setting gains on tweeters in an active setup.

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

Just curious. This thread doesnt prove anything other than an O Scope does work. It doesnt show alternative methods do or do not work. You cant compare 1 thing against another and say that option A is better without providing data for both options.
The DMM method is more than a guess. Its an educated guess with mathematical equations involved.

Id like to see data from the OP using the DMM method on the same setup or from TFade.

The point of my post wasn't to compare a 'scope against a DMM. I wanted to show the kind of information that you just can't get from anything else. Look at the 2nd waveform in my first post - a DMM won't tell you something's wrong with that signal.

I don't have DMM data because I don't use one. The 'scope gives me voltage and much more. If I had tried to set my sub amp gain with a DMM the output would have been badly clipped. My amp doesn't make rated power at less than 14.4V and my car doesn't get up that high.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

The point of my post wasn't to compare a 'scope against a DMM. I wanted to show the kind of information that you just can't get from anything else. Look at the 2nd waveform in my first post - a DMM won't tell you something's wrong with that signal.
I don't have DMM data because I don't use one. The 'scope gives me voltage and much more. If I had tried to set my sub amp gain with a DMM the output would have been badly clipped. My amp doesn't make rated power at less than 14.4V and my car doesn't get up that high.

Thats my point. You dont know it would be badly clipped. You have no evidence to support it and havent even tried that method.