you could use dirt instead of compression. When I'm doing synthy sounds I tend to use an envelope follower, and a wah as well (plus octave and the rest). If there's no dirt or compression after these effects, I just hear the peak of the squelch (does that make any sense?) rather than the full fatness. Dirt, or compression, calms down that peak and means I can hear the low mids again, which are obviously essential.