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hey
i have used a very similar set-up as you, except now i have a mic preamp (tubessence) and i use an
RNC compressor. this compressor is widely considered to be the best in its price range ($175) and comparable to $1000 units. everybody that uses them swear by em.
the compressor won't buy you much with the specifics of the bass drum sound really...you definitely don't want to use it like that as a general rule...though i do use a compressor as an effect sometimes. compression on drums is used to control the overall amplitude dynamics, and should be fairly transparent. if it makes a huge impact in the sound of individual drums, you are using as it as a substitute for good placement/EQing
from the sounds of it, your main problem is placement and EQing. for one, it sounds like you may have the mic too close to the front head. back off! i've got some of my best bass drum sounds by miking the bass drum 12" or more away from the drum. give it some air. on your board, crank up the bass EQ to about 3oclock, and have the mid and highs a little lower. play with the mids a lot, and keep the bass up. you want the kick to have definition, but you don't want it to sound like a paper bag. also, reverb can definitely thicken it up, and when mixed with music, it is surprising how much reverb goes relatively unnoticed (other than it sounds fuller). also, the overheads can capture highs of the kick better sometimes, and also can round out the bass sound. don't be afraid to turn up the bass on the overheads.
anyway, drums are a bitch to record, so don't feel bad. bass drum is particularly tricky i think.