Oscilloscope Usage

I was recommended the Intech Grid series as a possible solution to something I'm trying to solve, but I'm not sure if all the pieces are there.

I'm looking to have a control surface (probably VSN1 + EN16) to control a UI-less oscilloscope. Traditional Oscilloscopes have a dedicated screen and button+knob UI . There is trend to move to a screen-less/UI-less package(example example ).

I personally would like to replicate the UI aspect using the Grid series. Ideally, I'd have a software that (1) displays a waveform on my computer, (2) controls the various settings of the oscilloscope, and (3) takes control inputs from the Grid device(s) to change the settings of the oscilloscope. This post is promising, as it's controlling a non-audio application, but it's doing so using keyboard simulation. I'd ideally like to be able to control things even when the application isn't selected/at-the-front, as in using an API instead of key press simulation. Is this possible?

Replies (2)

kkerti · September 14, 2025

That's a neat idea. Grid can be used for that in my opinion with some sort of API interfacing on the oscilloscope's desktop app side. Couple ideas:

1.) if the oscilloscope app on the desktop has some sort of parameter mapping/routing available use that with Grid. Grid devices can send USB class HID keyboard, mouse, game pad and midi messages. On top of this you can get the raw serial information sent out via USB too (that's what our Editor software parses for showing UI changes). So if the oscilloscope app can be mapped to / controlled by external controllers, then that is option 1.

2.) In Editor we have a Package Manager, which are nodejs processes spawned separately from Editor core. These packages can have their own dependencies and can easily communicate with other software through websocket, udp or other protocol of your choice. If you have your own package, you can send there data from Grid controllers and from the package send further to other apps. In order to make this work, Editor should be open on the dock/tray, but can be out of focus of course.

sethk · September 15, 2025

Good to know! The first application I'd be targeting has keyboard shortcuts available, so that's one option. I'm just worried about the out-of-focus problem with keyboard shortcuts. (Aka, sending keyboard commands to the wrong app.)

I'll have to dig in to the nodejs path when I have some time and when I get the device.

Until then, I'm going to wait until my local retailer has it in stock.