[damionhill]

Something i do for example snare:
I copy the track and pan each one like 11 or 7% left and Right. So this widens the snare. I'll then compress but use a different compressor for each one. I normally like one snare compressor to be a fat sound and the other kind of transparent. EQ to taste and there ya go. Snare just pops out and great!

I also Parallel compress the whole kit. Actually NY compression works great. Which is pretty much the same thing as parallel but with a scoop around 500Hz with a wide Q. So that you get compressed highs and Compressed Lows. But your uncompressed midrange will be a more dynamic. I love this! Mix those to taste and automate where needed.