I would do the normalize and see if that works for you. You can always UNDO it as long as you don't close the program. If the normalize doesn't work.... it will set the highest peak in the song as it's shall not exceed point and essentially amplify everything else by the amount needed for that one peak to be at the set point...... you can then use a compressor to even out the rest of the lower hits and bring them in line with the rest of the louder hits.

If I was doing this I would likely record it as midi so I could swap the cymbal samples to get the best overall sounding cymbal. Then you convert that to audio after you have set the velocity and quantized it to your satisfaction.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.