Oscilloscope

A cathode ray electronic instrument by which the waveform of a sound or vibration may be observed. It displays an audio signal in the form of a transverse wave (as with all the diagrams of waveforms in this document, see sound wave).

Since sound pressure variations are shown as voltage variations, the amplitude of the signal may be measured and converted to decibels with the aid of Appendix D.

Distortion of the waveform may also be observed, and in the case of a fixed waveform, its period and frequency may be measured.

Compare: Level Recorder, Sound Analyser, Spectrograph, VU Meter.