(Jerry W on work computer)
First, I don't usually use compression on bass or for that matter, on many instruments at all. I usually play all the parts on my productions and I tend to play very steady at the same level always. I have allot of control and I use it. In fact, I have tried using compression on bass and drums and for the most part don't like the result.
I do allot of R&B and the bass and drums have to kick and thump away, be in sync and be timed well. I do not like compression or quantizing and find that those things take all the punch and feel out of the mix.
I was curious though it maybe I was setting things wrong but I don't think so. In fact, since I posted this I have gotten confirmation from multi-platinum producers that my approach is the better way. The real reason people don't use this approach that much is because the can't play a decent track and need electronic assistance.
As for the question about the settings of a compressor matching on bass and kick, I was not clear about what was on my mind which is why the question could not be answered. It was specifically regarding attack and release settings.
In general, many of the bass and kick figures are tutti or quasi-tutti where the bass and kick are nearly identical rythmically except of nuances here and there. I was wondering if the use of similar attack and release settings was something used or contemplated by others for additional tightening. Utimately though, they are different instruments with different characteristics and in the end, only your ear can tell.
That is my best tool in the entire studio. It is not the board, computer, sound card, break out box, program, hard synth or soft synth, mic or compressor, reverb or delay, it is my ear and that has always served me well.
So, in the end, I will stop asking lame questions to amuse myself late at night and just LISTEN. It always produces the best result.