Yes, if you want to get alot of those standard samples that you are prolly using to sound right alot of compression, EQ etc has do be done and you need to know what you are doing. I recommend reading tutorials on this kind of thing, try
www.computermusic.co.uk, there is some great stuff there. It could be an idea to buy a quality sample CD aswell.
When just starting out it's always hard to get a decent sound out of the standard instruments when just tweaking with the presets. This is where knowledge of basic synth fundementals come in handy, study presets and experiment.. You also might want to invest in a decent VST synth... It's hard to get a nice rich sound out of a cheap synth, your really need to know what your doing.. (This isnt such a bad thing, but I know how fustrating it can be!)
Also listen to heaps of music, figure out drum patterns.. Learn music theory... Play classical music 
Most of all never give up, just keep on belting out tunes.. getting decent results doesnt happen in a few months from just starting, it takes many years of practice to get to the stage you are asking for. (Every time I listen to a 'hit' I constantly remind myself how far I still have to go!)
Good luck dude.
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