Digital audio files are the raw material of music production. From streaming platforms to sample packs, all the audio you work with has to be stored somewhere in a file. But many types of audio formats are used in different situations.

Most home studios contain an arsenal of carefully chosen gear. From synths and groove boxes to guitars and drums, the tools in your studio need to be connected properly to work. But for some types of gear, making the right connection means you’ll need an extra piece of equipment—a DI box.

Scales, chords and intervals are all related concepts in music theory. As you learn them, you’ll often hear different words used to explain how they work. One of the most common is the term scale degrees. But what are scale degrees exactly? And how are they different from intervals? In this article I’ll explain what scale degrees are and why they’re important to know. Let’s get started.