Measurement Console (Experimental)
Overview
The Measurement Console is a dockable workspace for observing and operating multiple measurement widgets in one window. It reuses the same widget instances shown in the main window, so moving an instrument into the console does not create a second real-time audio processor.
Open it with Measurement Console at the top of the main-window sidebar.
Working with Instruments
- Add Instrument: Search by a translated or English name, then select a widget to add. Instruments already in the console appear disabled at the end of the list. Press Enter after searching to add the selected instrument.
- Close an instrument dock: Returns that widget to its normal page in the main window; its state and current measurement are retained.
- Show in Console: On a widget page that is currently hosted in the console, use this button to bring its dock to the front.
- Stop All: Stops every compatible instrument currently running in the console. It does not affect instruments that are already stopped or have no single primary start/stop action. Failed stops remain visible at the bottom of the console. Hover to see the instrument names, or click to show the first affected instrument.
The initial preset contains Oscilloscope, Spectrum Analyzer, Spectrogram, and Goniometer. Use Layout → Default Console to restore that set deliberately.
Layouts and Controls
Choose a diagram button in the toolbar to apply a layout in one click. The same presets are available by name in the Layout menu. The current preset name appears in the toolbar, and the outlined button identifies the selected preset. Click it again to cycle instruments through the panes; in a main layout, the next instrument becomes the main instrument. Instruments in overflow tabs are included in the cycle. Selecting a different preset applies it without advancing the order. Use Layout → Reapply Layout to restore proportions without changing order.
| Preset | Arrangement |
|---|---|
| Tabbed View | One pane with tabs for all instruments. |
| Side by Side | Two equally sized columns. |
| 2 x 2 Grid | Two columns and two rows. |
| 2 Columns x 3 Rows | Six panes arranged vertically. |
| 3 Columns x 2 Rows | Six panes arranged horizontally. |
| 2 Above + 3 Below | Two panes above and three below, with the upper row using two thirds of the height. |
| Main + 3 Right | A large main pane using two thirds of the width, with three stacked panes on the right. |
| Main + 3 Below | A large main pane using two thirds of the height, with three panes below. |
Grid instruments follow reading order, from left to right and top to bottom. Unused panes collapse when there are fewer instruments; extra instruments share the panes as tabs. Switching presets keeps the same instruments, settings, and running measurements.
- Layout → Main Instrument: Choose which instrument occupies the large pane in either main layout. The first instrument is used initially.
- Layout → Reapply Layout: Restore the selected preset's proportions.
- Undo Layout: Restore the arrangement before the last preset change, rotation, or main-instrument change, including manually adjusted dividers. Also available with Alt+Backspace. Adding or removing an instrument clears this undo history.
- Layout → Default Console: Restore the initial four instruments in a 2 x 2 grid.
- Layout → Undo Default Console: Restore the instruments and arrangement from before the last default-console reset.
- Layout → Workspaces: Save and recall up to 12 named instrument arrangements.
Drag docks or tab them as needed. Enable Lock Layout after arranging the workspace to prevent accidental additions, removals, or preset changes. Measurement controls remain usable.
For compatible modules, the dock title bar shows the module's main start/stop action. Its label, icon, enabled state, and running state stay synchronized with the original control. The console does not show a primary action for modules that do not have one safe, single-button start/stop operation, and Stop All does not include those modules.
The bottom bar mirrors the audio state, sample rate, output destination, and latched I/O warnings from the main window. It uses the main window's existing 500 ms status update and does not poll the audio engine a second time.
Restoring a Workspace
The console stores its membership, dock arrangement, size, lock state, and compatible compact-mode selections, along with the selected preset and main instrument. Changes are saved after a short pause and when the console closes. If a saved layout cannot be restored safely, MeasureLab falls back to a visible default layout. On small displays, the default arrangement is adjusted to remain usable. The arrangement from the larger screen is retained for the next return to a larger display, including after restarting the application. You can explicitly select a different preset on a small screen.
Limitations
This is an experimental workspace feature. It is designed for one main MeasureLab window: an instrument can be either on its normal page or in the console, not in both locations at the same time. Workspace snapshots contain the screen arrangement, not measurement results or acquisition conditions. Use each instrument's save or comparison features for measurement data.