Triples and eighth notes in a step sequencer drum pattern

The step sequencer can't handle inserting triplets into an otherwise "straight" pattern. It's modelled on hardware sequencers, restrictions and all, and that's one of the things most hardware sequencers can't do either. Step sequencers aren't really intended to produce realistic imitations of humans....

One work-around might be to create sequences of just the triplets and insert them into the track as necessary between the other patterns. I tried it that way once and it was so messy that I abandonned the idea.

Another way is to create extra tracks in the step sequencer just to hold the triplets, then adjust the swing and timing values for those rows. Again, not exactly quick or elegant.

An alternative is to sequence in the piano roll editor which can handle triplets and anything else you throw at it. Though there are a few things the step sequencer can do that the piano roll can't. Like the step play probability.

As for quavers, semi-quavers etc. you can set the step sequencer to have between one and four steps per 4/4 beat. So for quavers use 2 steps/beat etc. Personally I usually just use 4 steps/beat all the time, partly because adding in extra steps per beat later (or removing them) can cause a little chaos.

To accommodate eighths and eighth triplets you need a grid of 16th triplets. Step Sequencer can do that - 6 steps per quarter - but you'll have cells that are neither 8ths nor eighth triplets - namely the 2nd and 6th cell of each quarter note section.
 
Like James, I prefer to just use the PRV. I usually start out recording patterns in real time by playing them in from my keyboard, so I don't really need the structure of Step Sequencer.

I'm not sure I know what you mean by save it as a drum pattern. However if you want you can name your clips in the Inspector.

brundlefly
After recording/composing in the PRV, you can right-click the clip and Convert to Step Sequencer.

Not sure this will work if it contains triplets though.

OK. That's what I meant. I wanted to be able to save it so I could reuse it in another project if I wanted to. I wanted to be able to save it and then browse and preview it later.
 
In the step sequencer I can just save it as a sequencer pattern.

tlw
Converting a step sequencer patter to "ordinary MIDI" always works.

Converting the other way can be a bit hit-and-miss because the step sequencer lacks the fine timing resolution to always do an accurate conversion.

I don't do it often, but have not seen a problem so long as the correct resolution is chosen as well as 'preserve offsets' if necessary.