I use compression a lot, especially on drums. Even though sometimes they dont need it, I do it to get more punch. it's easy to over do it, so it's somethin you wanna keep a close ear to so you dont squish your sound.
From the myspace stuff I heard, these drums sound compressed. Some settings I use is -12 to -15db threshold, medium attack, ration of 6-8:1 and a fast release. Then add your make up gain. You get a crunch/thump sound out of it. Then it's about placement in the mix, the loudness/effect of the drums can be increased by decreasing the sound of the other instruments too.
EQ is another definite biggie. Mess with the EQ to add a slight snap or presence in the high range. Or take the same snare sample and pitch it up (or down) and layerthat to get a thicker sound. Also try layering a hi-hat that has some snap to it in there. Gets that natural high frequency snap in there without having to alter the sound of your snare using EQ.
For kick drums... use a spectral analyzer and see what frequencies its dominating. You can either increase frequencies where the harmonics are doubled (if dominant frequency is 90Hz, you increase 180Hz) but also cut EQ where it may be too much. If there is too much bass in the kick then it will be a huge frequency rush when it hits, kind of taking away its character and natural sound. If for instance, that 90Hz range was really just rumbling the shit out of the kick sample, you could lower it by a few db's, but increase it at 180Hz or wherever it may need it to taste. This way the huge bass rush is toned down, but you still have the original texture of the kick drum, only clarified.
To keep the kick tight, roll of some of the mid-bass frequencies around 350Hz and up. Sometimes an EQ dip in there can clear up some muddyness and make the drum kit sound tighter. Doesnt have too be much, but a few db's can make the difference.
