Create a new music project using an online music mixer. Examples include DubStep, Jam Studio and The Music Studio (see Resources). If the site that you choose requires you to sign up, take a few moments to create a free user account. Then familiarize yourself with the layout of the music generator. Typically, the layout will include a series of “tracks,” or horizontal recording spaces stacked from top to bottom, on which you can record the individual parts of your beat, such as the percussion, bass and melody lines. You may also see lists of audio loops (music samples) that you can layer into your beat, as well as lists of individual options that allow you to select your key, tempo (speed) and the types of instrumentation you want to use.
Create your beat. For a hip-hop beat, you should emphasize your drums and bass. Select an electronic drum beat from among the percussion options on your screen and choose a deep-sounding bass line to set the foundation of your melody. You can create your beat using only drums and bass, but you may also want to add additional layers, such as synthesizer lines, sound effects and keyboard melodies to add dimension and originality to your beat. Experiment with the different options on your screen until your music sounds just right.
Record vocals to add to your beat. Some online music generators will contain a “Record” button, usually near the very top or bottom of the screen, which you can press and then record directly over your beat as it plays, using your computer’s internal microphone or an external microphone. For the best audio quality, connect a vocal microphone to your computer (this is completely optional, based on your budget and current music setup). Because professional vocal microphones use XLR (three-pin) connections, you will need to plug an XLR computer adapter onto the XLR cable. If your selected music generator website does not include a “Record” option, it should contain an “Upload” option, which you can use to add audio files from your computer.
Record your vocals using an audio recorder program (see Resources for a list of free software) and upload it to your online mix using the “Upload” feature. When you finish mixing your beat, use the “Save” button to export it to your computer.
Sell your beats independently. After you complete a series of beats (typically between five and 10), you can sell them independently by burning them to CDs and advertising through popular social networks such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter, and streaming your songs through popular music sites such as iLike, BoomDizzle and PureVolume. Create a presence for your music online by streaming two or three songs for free and advertising the sale of your completed album or EP. You can also sell your music at popular hip-hop concerts, parties and other social events.
Sell your music using an online distribution service. Sites such as ReverbNation, TuneCore and SongCast allow you to upload your music for profit. Sell individual songs or complete albums in a digital download format. These sites will even allow you to obtain a UPC code for your finished music product and upload to major digital retailers such as the iTunes Store. Just sign up, upload your music and choose your distribution options.