Choose one hand to be your rhythm hand. For right-handed players, this will most likely be your right hand. This hand will keep a steady beat on the hi-hat or cymbal you select. It should never change rhythm. Depending on what speed and what type of beat you play, this hand will play consistent 1/4, 1/8 or 1/16 notes.
Begin to play your MPD32 with your rhythm hand. Count in your head or out loud, from 1 to 4 continuously. Turn on the metronome in your audio editing program for timekeeping assistance.
Use one or two fingers on your other hand to play the bass drum and snare drum pads. The rhythms here will vary greatly as you change beats, and do not have to be steady. For beginners, however, a simple bass and snare pattern can be played by hitting the bass drum every 1/4 note, or every time you say a number. The snare of this pattern should be played every time you say "2" and "4."
Practice every day and try to add fills at the end of every fourth measure. A measure starts anew every time you return to count "1." A fill is a transition or variation of the beat you are playing that leads you to the beginning of a set of measures or a new beat.
Listen to beats from different songs and try to play them yourself. This expands your creativity and allows you to "hear" what you think should be played next and develop your own patterns.
Connect a MIDI foot controller to your program if you have one, and assign it to the bass drum sound. Get your drum set's kick pedal if you have no MIDI pedal. Place it near a wall, pad or even your bass drum.
Arrange the sounds on the drum pads of the MPD32 in a comfortable setup that is similar to that of your drum kit. Now, your foot controls bass instead of your second hand and you can integrate the use of toms and cymbals more easily.
Practice your drumming. Because the pads are so small and close together, you may find it easier to learn new beats and fills on a drum machine. Everything is electronic, and thus clear to hear. However, because you can move more quickly around a drum machine, you may need to compensate for this when playing your new rhythms on an actual set.