ELENCO Snap Circuits CI-73 Computer Interface + Projects PC1-PC3 (693-695)

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. More information on WinScope: www.cxi1.co.uk/Prac/winscope.htm
Download WinScope: www.cxi1.co.uk/Downloads/scop...
This video introduces the CI-73 Computer Interface system by ELENCO for use with SNAP CIRCUITS. It is a seperate add-on included with the SC-750 (you may be able to find it separately) that uses a computer running WinScope and a mono-based audio cable to capture and interpret waveforms generated by various projects. There are several items to consider with using this system...
FIrst of all your results can/will be different than what is depicted here or in the book (which is considered ideal/perfect). Everyone will have a different setup when it comes to the computer used, software settings, condition of the Snap Circuits components, background interference (EMI), etc.
There's three key components to note for using the CI-73 system: One of which is the computer itself. It is my recommendation that you use an older computer that you have lying around or simply can acquire cheap to use for running the software. This is because there is no protection between the test component (Snap Circuits) and the computer itself. If you should get an overvoltage/current condition for some reason you risk damaging the audio components and other parts of the computer itself. ELENCO already states their own disclaimer about using the software and this is one of their points hence my suggestion here.
The second is the interface: Again the cable has no protection; it is simply a 3.5mm mono plug with two wires connected to alligator clips (easy to make yourself it you so choose). When connected; you'll need to adjust settings on your computer's software for volume and other audio effects/enhancements. Generally the optimal microphone volume is 30-40% of MAX; adjusting the volume setting will make the waveform larger/smaller. If your computer's audio has effects/enhancements for the microphone such as echo/boost you'll need to ensure they're disabled as these will affect the waveform. Lastly you may find the waveform appears inverted (upside-down) to what is expected; this is because your microphone input polarity is reversed. Simply swap the red/black alligator clips on your test circuit to correct for it (sometimes there may be a software option to correct this but usually not).
Last is using WinScope: Several buttons and sliders are used to operate the main oscilloscope functions
Play= Starts the oscilloscope monitoring
Pause= Stops the oscilloscope monitoring and "holds" any waveform on the display
5ms/div & 0.5ms/div= These adjust the time division between the vertical lines
Positive/None/Negative Trigger= These define whether a trigger monitors a positive/negative voltage or if no trigger is used at all
Reset= Resets all sliders to their defaults
Check (1:1)= Has the oscilloscope use native gain (sliders have no effect)
Y1 Slider= Adjusts gain level on primary input
Y1 Zero Slider= Adjust zero line up/down
T Slider= Adjusts time interval between vertical lines (narrows/widens waveform)
Trg Slider= Adjusts the point where the trigger occurs (represented by a small red - )
Lastly the first three PC projects are shown that provide some uses of other WinScope functions:
PC1= Pitch PC (This demos the FFT function) (The intro for this is missing video apparently from a rendering issue. You can skip ahead to the oscilloscope portion 22:25 if desired).
PC2= Screaming Fan PC (This demos the Storage Mode function).
PC3= Hissing Foghorn PC (This demos the WAIT function).
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[@ProfeARios]

Thank you for sharing all this knowledge 🇵🇦

[@SignalMan9292]

Wait can’t you put a diode between one of the snaps and the alligator clip or will that not work to prevent damage