i think what you are looking for is a larger sound, this in mind try:

taking loops and duplicating them, run one through a lp filter with lots of resonance at abou 33% the other one eq out the bottom end..

also try taking a loop and putting a bit of verb on it, then resampling it and putting distortion on the lot, that should give things a bit of beef..

above all just dont be scared to go overboard with fx to begin, dont worry about getting things sounding nice, just try experimenting with getting em sounding large, and then when you can do this put your skills at getting a 'nice' mix and making things sound big and filthy togethor...

do lots and lots of eqing and resampling blah blah, to get away from that horrible 'drum machine and a synth' vibe