Making Kick drums stand out

[puppykicker]

Side chain !!!

[skulk]

Not trying to be clever or anything here but parallel compression is a different technique to sidechaining.

It is really usefull though so here is an explanation straight from Wikipedia:

Parallel compression, also known as New York compression, is a technique used in sound recording and mixing. Parallel compression is achieved by mixing a dry or slightly compressed signal with a heavily compressed identical signal. It is thought to maintain the subtleties of a performance while stabilizing the dynamics. Additionally, the attack and release settings of the compressor can be set in a manner that causes the signal to "pump" or "breathe" in tempo with the song, adding an identifiable character to the sound. It is most usually used on drum buses.

I use Ableton and this works for me:

Set up a return channel with a compressor.
Send (100%) any drums that you want to this channel.
Set the attack and release low (over-drive the inpout a little in you want extra 'bang').
Pull the return right down then gradually mix it back in till the beats sound fuller. You will probably only need to add a little of the return (maybe 20% or so).

Hope someone finds this usefull.