Setting up a bus compressor

I use both logic and protools11

Yeah, using it on a stereo source while tracking would be the easiest configuration.
I'm asking about using it as a bus comp on summed groups. I don't have any outboard summing capability, so the group stereo bus would have to be a send from my interface, patch thru the comp, and then returned to the interface. This is where my delay compensation would be required.

And then the thing that really sort of confuses me is using it on the master 2 bus. I guess I would just always master the return and the bounce in real time if I want my bounce to use the compressor.

Just trying to wrap my head around this workflow.

In that case, at least for my setup, I'd need a submixer.


As far as mixing with a compressor on the 2-bus:

In Cubase, I set it my 2 Bus compressor routing as an FX insert in the VST Connections. So, the routing to and from the compressor is predetermined. As an insert on the 2bus- which I access from the plugin menu- it does its thing and the post compressor signal goes to my main monitoring outputs 1/2. If I want to hear what the 2 bus sounds like without the compressor, I bypass it using the external FX plugin like interface. Cubase also has a ping for determining and compensating for latency times. I use this same process in Pro Tools, though my version PT11 doesn't have an easy way to bypass the external FX compressor plugin like interface. So, I just turn it off and then on. It does have delay/latency compensation.


As far as the patchbay goes:  I have the converter/interface outputs/inputs on one patchbay and my hardware on another. I use patch cords to go from my converter/interface outs and ins to my hardware ins and outs. They are the same connections as I determine in my External FX connections in Cubase and PT.  The patchbay hardware ins and outs are non normalled in this configuration.