Try opening up two synths, intialize the atch one one and load up a preset you like on the other, then manualy input all the settings from the preset one onto the intialized one.

It sounds like a silly thing to do, after all - why not just use the preset? What it does do is give you and insight into the mind of sound designer.

Also - before you sythesize someting, think about what it is you want to synthesize... is it abass sound? a lead? set you osciallator octaves properly... does the sound want to be clean or dirty? distortion? oscialltor spread?

Does the sound want to be long or short? set your amp env... move on to filtering... do you want the filter to move.. rhythmically or according to velocity?

the biggest tip i can give you is to make sure you have your velocity modulation and LFOs going to the right place, modulation really is the key to bringing synth parts alive. remember that human fingers, lips, breath, hits all go to form the human element of a traditional instrument and if you arent setting your synth to respond to these things (o.k. so maybe NOT breath unles you have a controller) then you're synth parts wont spring to life.

HTH