Oscilloscope - Visualizing Sound
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Oscilloscopes are visual aids that are useful to have open when you’re learning about syntheses. We’ve worked with spectrum analyzers a decent amount in the past and when you combined the spectrum analyzer with an oscilloscope you get all the visual feedback you'd ever need.
In the case of synthesis, unlike engineering, the scope doesn’t serve too many practical functions. It’s probably more eye candy than anything else. To put it into very simple terms the oscilloscope outputs a visual representation of the waveshape passing through it (a varying voltage). In the case of modular synthesizers having a scope can be a useful aid to help in troubleshooting or just to see how the wave changes depending on how you patch things up.
Eventually you won’t need the aid of a scope when designing sounds but when you’re just starting out you may find it useful and comforting to have it open.