Oscilloscopes are used to view the signals coming directly from devices such as sound cards, allowing the real-time display of waves. They are used as electrocardiograms, to test circuits and to troubleshoot electronic devices such as televisions.

When would you use an oscilloscope?

Engineers use oscilloscopes to measure electrical phenomena and quickly test, verify, and debug their circuit designs. The primary function of an oscilloscope is to measure voltage waves. Those waves are displayed on a graph that can tell you many things about a signal, such as: The time and voltage values of a signal.

Do I really need an oscilloscope?

Sure, the primary function of an oscilloscope is to measure electrical waveforms. But it's also pretty darn useful for measuring mostly constant voltage levels as well. ... It can also do what most multimeters can't: detect small fluctuations in supply voltage.