Set up your microphone to prepare for recording. If you have multiple microphones and a mixer, mic each of your drums or cymbals individually and run all of the mic cables into the mixer, which will combine the signals into one audio input in the computer. If you just have one mic, place it where it will pick up sound from the different sources evenly.
Set up your project file. Select a tempo for your beat and turn on the metronome (or "click") function of your software sequencer. This step is essential for making sure that your beat is recorded in perfect time. Make sure your audio interface is set up properly in the Preferences menu to make sure that you're getting an audio signal into the computer.
Test your signal level. Press record and play the drums as loudly as you plan to play them in the recording. Check to make sure that the signal wasn't too loud by checking the volume meter in the program. If the red light is on the top of the meter, then your signal was too loud. Turn it down and try again until your maximum volume is near the top of the meter, but not so high that it causes the red light to come on.
Press the record button and play along with the metronome in your headphones. The more closely you follow the metronome, the better your beat will sound.
Trim your audio file. In your audio sequencer, cut the audio regions to a precise number of measures—usually one, two or four. Then you can export your beat and insert it into songs.
Choose the tempo and sounds you want to use. The tempo is displayed on the screen near the playback controls, and its unit are in beats per minute (BPM). Drum sequencers come with a range of sounds you can use to make your beats. Browse the available banks of sounds and choose sounds that work well together.
Insert notes in the graphical arrangement window. In most drum sequencers, there is a grid with different sounds on the y-axis, and time on the x-axis. When you insert notes into the grid, the vertical position of your note determines which sound will be played, and the horizontal position determines when it will be played.
Export your beat. Select the portion of audio you want to export and then choose the Export or Bounce option from one of the menus. The program will ask what type of file you want to export, as well as how high-quality you want it to be. Once you've exported the file, you'll be ready to insert your beat into songs.