Routing issues, Logic 8+Mackie Onyx 1620+Compressor rack

Question

hey guys, I know the Logic apple forums may not be the most suitable place to post this, but I have tried a few more relevant websites to resolve this issue, but to no success.
With my set up, I connect my macbook straight to my mackie desk with one firewire cable, it allows me to send 16 signals and a stereo return down the one cable, then i monitor using KRK speakers attached to the desks main stereo outs at the back. So all straight forward there.
Today I received a TL Audio 5021 outboard compressor rack. For the life of me, I can't hook it up to my set up correctly for mastering. I want to master over-all mixes.
Its two channel. I have channel 1 output going into channel 9 on my desk. I have channel 2 output going in to channel 10 on my desk (line 9 and 10 share a channel strip on my desk, both using jack inputs for L and R). Then i have my desk's main out left going to the 5021's channel 1 input, and the desk's main out right going to the 5021's channel 2 input.
Obviously, with my set up, the more I turn up the main mix output, the more im feeding the channel i have the compressor inputed in to. So when i try to mute the main mix in logic to hear what im recording on 9-10, it all goes silent. Argh! That is very frustrating! I am not sure how i get around this?!
Is there some way of maybe changing the settings of the signal routing in logic to get around this?
I know this is probably all too confusing for you guys to work out without actually seeing the set up or being hands-on with it, but I am just a relative amateur in need of some guidance!
Many thanks for your time and patience in reading this and trying to help me!
Steve.
Message was edited by: skeletal_wreck

Answer 1

Thank you very much for your reply, and your time.
Although my desk has main stereo outs (outputs 1-2) AND main outs 3-4, my firewire set up only allows for one stereo return, so i guess because of this, in logic I am only offered the option 'Out 1-2' for each selected track.
ok, brainstorming here...
What if I connect my studio monitors directly to the compressors main outputs. Left speaker to the compressor output channel one, right speak to compressor output channel 2.
Then, run the main outs of the desk to the in's on the compressor.
Then to compare before/after effects of the compression settings, i just have to flick the bypass switch on the compressor unit ?
Then I would be left with the issue of recording the effected output. Perhaps I could do something in Logic like send the main stereo on a bus to a second logic stereo track and hit record?
I've over-thought this and im probably talking jibberish that makes no sense now - but if someone can please tell me if I'm way off track now or not? Thanks.
(and sorry about this lol).
Message was edited by: skeletal_wreck
Message was edited by: skeletal_wreck