Super noob here!
This is as much for a practical project as it is to learn something along the way. So even though in practice one might not go about things this way, I think it's valuable for me as a learning experience.
I have built a two stage 100x (10x10) audio amplifier to boost dynamic mic signals. This seems like a simple circuit and so it should be obviously correct. Still, I want to verify it on the scope. Also I want to be able to troubleshoot a non-working device.
For initial testing I'm expecting to start with about a 60uV signal and expect to amplify it to 6mV. I may need to get this up to about 40mV, I'll have to see as the project develops. In that case I'll just add another gain stage.
So I figure I will apply a ref signal 1k hz sine wave. I'm hoping to use my function generator and add a 40dB pad. I think I can just generate (eg) a 40 mV sine wave and insert 20dB attenuation and verify I see 4mV on the DVM and scope with a direct measurement. Once I verify how much attenuation I am getting from each pad stage I will generate (say) a 6mV signal and pad it to 60uV as my input signal. I don't expect to be able to generate that (60uV) signal (too small) which is why I'm measuring the attenuation of a bigger signal for verification then applying that attenuation to a signal in the range that I can reasonably generate. (Unless you can point me to a cheap enough function generator that can produce microvolt signals directly.)
Now with my 60uV test signal I can at least measure the final output of the amp at 6mV.
But I'd like to measure the first stage output of 600uV, and also I'd like to measure a REAL microphone input signal and see what I'm really starting with. Clearly, I don't NEED to do that as I can infer the starting level from the final level. But it would be great to see the mic output level directly.
It looks like I can use the uCurrent device and get about 100x gain on the source signal. That seems perfect. I certainly can't afford something like the ADA400A probe. Is the uCurrent going to work for me? Any other affordable products out there? I won't be able to DIY something, just too time consuming with my level of experience and a distraction from my main objective.