Music production software packages such as Pro Tools and Cubase typically feature a step editor. This function lets you see the layout of the beat as well as hearing it. This means you can make visual edits. For example, if part of the groove feels sloppy or loose, viewing the step editor can highlight the problem. The step editor has a grid which corresponds to each beat in the music. As the music plays, the step editor scrolls along. Follow the step editor along until you get to the beat you don't like, hit "pause" and move the beat with your mouse so that it is in the right place.
The bass, or "kick," drum is typically the deepest drum sound in any beat. The kick drives the rhythm and provides the basis of the beat. Lay down a basic kick drum pattern using your drum machine, sampler or sequencer and build around it. Add high hats in between the kicks, put a snare on kick beat two and four.
Whenever you see a drummer wearing a set of headphones that are connected to a computer or small electrical device, they're listening to an electronically generated click. The click is perfectly in time and drummers use them as references for their own tempo. When recording, select a tempo and turn on the click. This helps you stay in time. If you have a drum track that slips in and out of time, it will be almost impossible to use it alongside any other music, such as samples or previous recordings.
Quantize is a function that features in sequencing and production software. The quantize function moves each of your individual drum strikes in the beat to the closest beat marker. For example, if you are making a 4/4 beat with kick and snare, the quantize function will move the snare so it is perfectly aligned with beats two and four of the measure. It effectively "tidies up" any sloppy programming or inputting. Set the parameters of your quantize tool to reflect the vibe of your music. For example, electro beats may require "exact" quantizing while funk beats may call for "loose" quantizing, where the beat is placed almost perfectly on the beat marker.