Scope 1.2 augments stereo

MacWeek, Jan 26, 1998 by John Poultney

Channel D Corp. next week will update Mac the Scope, its software-based, two-channel oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer.

Like the initial release, it will emulate a real-time audio-frequency scope and will work with Power Macs or 680x0-based systems equipped with a floating-point unit.

The new version, set to ship Feb. 3, will work better with stereo signals, the company said. It will be able to delay displaying one channel, using it as a reference channel in room frequency response analysis. With such an arrangement, sound engineers can compensate for propagation delays between a sound source and a microphone.

The software's scope bezel will include both display amplitude and frequency scale; these measurements were previously viewable with the on-screen measurement cursor and legend. The measurement cursor will also be updated, and users will be able to apply it to any displayed trace.

Other enhancements include four new signal-trace modes, peak-response and analog-style volume-unit meters, and a full-screen spectrogram setting.

Mac the Scope 1.2 will cost $299; upgrades from the previous version will be $49. Users who purchased the original Mac the Scope on or before Nov. 1, 1997, can upgrade free.

Channel D Corp. of Red Bank, N.J., is at (732) 933-9388; fax (732) 933-9389; softsales@channeld.com; http://www.channld.com/software.html.