1. For getting a drum beat together quickly
a) create a Midi part, and open the drum editor.
b) Set the independant track loop over two bars.
c) write the drum pattern and MINIMISE the editor.
d) Other tracks may be recorded and the Independant track loop stays active, keeping the beat.

2. Creating less repetitive loops.
a) Using the above method, create a basic loop of two bars for the basic kit (e.g. hats snare and kick).
b) Minmimise that and open another track and part, but create a loop of 3 bars. Place some off beat drum hits toward the end of the loop. Mimimise the editor.
c) Add more tracks with longer loops, with a few sparse hits
the result is a that the basic beat is filled at 3 bar intervals with odd beats added at 4 or 5 bars, making the pattern less notciably looped, although for 3 and 4 bar loops the pattern repeats after 12 bars...