Hi J,
 
For mixing drums, I like Waves SSL bundle's Channel Strip.
High/low pass filters, 4-band EQ, Dynamics, Expander/Gate

Thanks Jim I will look at that and Waves stuff is pretty good I read.
Also thanks all for the heads up on NOT using Boost and using CL instead...tbh I have never considered it,  sticking only with the presets (with minor tweaking) of PS. And Concrete Limiter and VX-64 (thx BJ) were also tools I had not considered.
 
Okay now to start trying out these suggestions - MUCHO appreciated!  

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec08/articles/sonarworkshop.htm
 

thx M_G  I did wonder at using a vocal processor, but sometimes the things you don't assume will do a task, actually do..

I don't use the Percussion Strip, but I don't recall that it was geared toward any particular genre. Then again, I've never looked at the presets so maybe it's their names that are giving the impression that it's for hip-hop or whatever. I don't think that's what the designer intended, though.
 
Given that the plugin is primarily an EQ and dynamics processor, I would think that presets are going to be pretty useless anyhow. Don't give up on the Percussion Strip. I think you'll find that taking the time to learn each module well will be worth the investment.
 
Your query got me thinking...why don't I use the Percussion Strip? I guess it's because I prefer individual effects over channel strips in general. I have better compressors/limiters, better transient shapers, better equalizers, etc. Each of which I've spent hundreds of hours learning their every quirk and capability. I don't ever use presets for anything other than synthesizers.

Thx bitflipper - I have actually tried the presets, not just looked over the names  - and I use them primarily as a starting point to get a general set of tweaks primed ready to do my own thing with them, not to simply load them and use for the final product.
 
I find the factory presets save heaps of time, and usually the factory developers/programmers know WAY more than I do about their effects :) so I go with them at least for initial setup.

For me, it's almost always ProChannel time - Concrete Limiter, EQ, and Console Emulator. Sometimes I use the TS-64 transient shaper sparingly.
 
My favorite aspect of the Concrete Limiter is how well it can bring up room ambience. Boost 11 doesn't come close to the CL. If you want multiband limiting, the Sonitus Multiband compressor is quite good - set it for no compression (i.e., 1:1 ratio), enable limiting, and push the output for the desired amount of squashing.

Thx Craig for chiming in here...much appreciated I am starting to try the CL and I am getting what you guys are saying...dunno why I never bothered with it before - probs I got put off by the "Limiter" in the name.
 
Cheers

 I hadn't thought about that before, that "limiter" might have a negative connotation. Like installing a governor on a go-cart so that it can't exceed 30 mph.
 
I agree with Craig about the Sonitus Multiband. It is an often-overlooked gem. 

Joden, I've had good luck with Waves Kramer Master Tape. It really makes my drums hit hard.