Download the beat-making software of your choice. Such software as "Audacity" features multitrack audio editing capabilities that allow you to record and edit your own beat sounds. "Acid XPress" offers the ability to record one track of audio with a track of MIDI programming. If you are simply looking for a virtual drum machine, download "Rebirth," a free drum-machine program by the makers of "Reason."
Check your computer's requirements against the requirements of the beat-making software you've chosen. Most beat-making software for Windows will run well on computers that have one gigabyte of RAM, but more is always better.
If your computer doesn't already have them, Install a sound card, drivers, and speakers according to the manufacturers' instructions. Make sure they are recognized by your computer's operating system.
Install the beat-making software program you downloaded. Set the program preferences to recognize your sound card, so you can hear the beat on your speakers. The setup menu for most audio programs is found under "Preferences" or "Setup" on the "Edit" menu.
Start a new project and create tracks. You will use these tracks as space to program your beat. If you anticipate using multiple tracks, you can add them at this time, or you can add more tracks later, after you have your beat started.
Choose your sounds. When you use downloaded beat-making programs, you can create your beat using audio, programmed notes called MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), or loops (brief sections of recordings that you can repeat).
Organize your beat. Start by composing a basic bass-and-snare beat of drum sounds, and add more sounds to the beat as you go. Use repeating sound patterns and intermittent sounds to create a pattern of beats. Arrange the sounds until you have a beat and sound sequence you like.