Totally! (: this has been my approach as well. You can't hear differences very clearly until they are gain/volume matched - and if all the parts don't sound at the same level when you match volumes, then that's the clue that it's a different setting. Oftentimes when I listen to different setting options I have to adjust the volume over and over again each time to make sure it matches levels in order to compare what sounds different. Just can't tell very well if the levels aren't the same.

Higher compression settings usually bring out more of the background sounds - room tones, reverbs etc. Though the longer attacks will delay the onset of the room tones/reverbs/drum ringouts etc and emphasize more of that initial transient. Whereas the shorter attack settings will make everything sound bigger and more spacious, with less of an upfront transient, and distort at the most extreme settings.

When listening for release times it's a similar thing - i.e. how quickly the reverbs/ring-outs/room tones come up after the initial drum hit.

Cheers! (:

I do however long it takes to beat my previous record. I dont have to beat the level, just my 1rst place score on every game. Some days are short, some days take practice