compression is a real artform and totally makes your sound.

recently i've had some lovely basslines poke through with a limiter on the bass itself then sidechain with the kick.

the possiblities are endless and it really does depend on what you want to do with the track. there was an EXCELLENT article posted here about the mix and getting stuff to sit recently. i think mike teknoist wrote it - i think it was called 'thinking out of the box' or something. essential reading. :)