Today I met a french duo ("Paral-Lel", Electro, DnB ...) in a workshop they held just before their Live set, and they've explained how they work & what they use. I was amazed when they told me they NEVER use any compressors in their tracks, they insisted on that. They said it's all about mixing & eq, and that compressing is useful only if one really knows how to do it, otherwise it becomes destructive for the track. At least that's the way they work, we all know there is no absolute rule.
And since I still don't know how to use a compressor correctly, I think I will follow their advice, I'll give up using comp and concentrate on improving my poor eq & mixing skills!
These guys have a 100% software based studio, plus a Minikorg they rarely use. Poor guys they have no Virus
Here they are :
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1bydh_parallel