[quote author="Svart"]good ideas, however, I am using the console with an Mx-2424. the audio path returns to the desk and is then sent to the busses and mixed to 2 track going to the mixdown computer via the master buss, a simple, standard setup. as far as what i use i don't have many channels available@mixdown usually running around 18 tracks. I'll try something here, I can setup where the buss outputs to the compressors and returns back to my bank of aux returns(8 sets) which don't see much use. it'll be later this week before i can try though.
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I don't think you get it yet... no probs using the MX2424, take the output from a channel of the MX2424, run it into whatever piece of gear you want on it, and then send that into a channel of your desk. That way, you bypass the insert and everything stays balanced. By doing this, you're creating your own form of insert in a way.
You don't wanna bring the comps back into aux returns. You say you're putting the SSL across the drum bus. How are you setting up the drum bus? You must have a stereo drum group coming up on a pair of faders, otherwise I can't figure out how you would do this. Instead of putting the SSL on the drum bus inserts, put it on the busses themselves, and return the output of the comp into that SAME pair of faders you were using for the drum group.