Hi EA Forum,

I have a simple, home studio with a small console and a professional patchbay. I would, ideally, like to be able to verify stereo image quality with an oscilloscope to support what my ears are hearing, conveniently, as mentioned in Mix With The Masters and EA video content.

The types of outputs I have available are as follows:

TRS
XLR
DB25 (usually connected to an XLR-F and -M snake, rear of patchbay)
TT / Bantam (front of the patchbay)

I also have a console monitor output that is “passive split / not buffered” available via TT at the patchbay and not even the console maker can apparently explain what that means (so that would be an added bonus if some generous soul would answer that as well).

Any help that would get me closer toward a simple installation of an oscilloscope would be much appreciated. Thanks to the forum for existing.

What kind of console? What model oscilloscope?

The primary concern would be the voltage level coming out of the console and whether it's within the usable range of the scope.

The "passive split" thing means that they just tapped off another set of connections into the patchbay. Like a Y cable. There's no circuitry between the console and those TT connections. No active buffer circuitry that would electrically isolate the two outputs from each other. Usually, this is OK if you're going into another set of high-impedance inputs on some other piece of gear, as they wouldn't present much of a parallel load. The problem comes if you try to use these parallel outputs into something that has a relatively low input impedance, like an old piece of gear with a 600 ohm transformer input or something.

Also, if you're working digitally you can accomplish your goals more cheaply with a digital oscilloscope. Works just as reliably as the classic version. Obviously irrelevant if you're working on tape.

I have a little SainSmart dual trace mini oscilloscope (like $75) and 1/4" adapters I can patch in my bay whereever I need but rarely use it. If you are working in a DAW, there are a bunch of good Plugin O Scopes if you are just checking phase/time alignment etc. Melda Productions has one in their free package. I find it easier to just do it by eye looking at eh wave form. I wouldn't bother putting a giant O Scope in my room cause I have limited space and am pretty much never checking azimuth on a multirtack R2R, Can't think of too many other reasons to have one.

That is actually very helpful. I think I’ll try a plug-in. And thank you for the passive-split explanation!