External Insert Behaviour in X1

I'm not entirely sure I'm following you exactly but if I'm getting what you are trying to do you don't need to use the external insert at all.

You can send the kick out to Channel 1 on the R16 use the EQ and return it to the same track in Sonar. DO this by selecting the R16 Channel1/2 left as the track input and output. Just make sure that on the ZED you have the Digi Send - Post EQ and Digi Return - Pre Insert buttons down. Make sure that the Sonar track input monitoring isn't on or you'll end up with a feedback loop.

You can even re-record that back onto the same track where it will create a new layer. I frequently use that. You can also put a compressor or outboard effects on the ZED insert and utilize that as well.

The ZED-R16 is one fantastic piece of kit isn't it? I'm currently sweet talking the wife with the ulterior motive of eventually getting the GR-24 with motorised faders - ok - I'm dreaming but one day.................

No this is not what i want to do. It was my next thought, the problem here is that i want to have my Kick EQ'd by Channel 1 on the A&H, and then I want to be able to send that resultant EQ'd Kick out to the Drum Bus When I mix I tend to throw a Gate, Compressor and EQ on my Kick, and then I send it to a drum bus which will then have a further Stereo Compressor and EQ on it to gel everythign together. YOur method would mean that the Kick would have its own channel and none of it would get sent to the drum bus. I could use a send from the kick channel in sonar, but that is pre the external insert so would send the un EQ'd signal to the drum bus. Basically i am trying to re-create what is currently possible in sonar when using a VST, Ie I vould have a chain of VST's on the kick channel Gate, COmp and EQ, and then send this channel to the drum bus, all i am trying to do is replace the EQ in that chain with a External Hardware EQ that resides on the A&H. I should mention that subsequent to running into a brick wall on this, I exported the project to OMF Opened it in Protools and have achieved this using the insert on the kick tack and by setting up a Aux INput and using that as the drum bus. So it is possible using the A&H, and the issue must be in SOnar. I just wandered if this issue occurs in SOnar X1, I only bought protools for compatability reasons and to be competitive, but if this is not resolved its the first reason i have come accross to do more projects in PT. Oh that and the fact that i was able to creat a mono bus and sum by top and bottom snares to it and then send the summmed output to the drum bus. Ie a 2 level hierachy of bus'ing not possible in SOnar. SOrry, i am not trying to stir anything up, I am a huge fan of SOnar and have even been accused of being a fanboy on here, just to give background.

Repeat sorry

The Mars bar goes to FastBiker Boy, thats a great idea, I had not thought of that, and it would probably solve the issue, I will try it and let you guys know, i have had to turn everything off to spend 'quality time' ONe thought, would there be any issue with delay compensation doing it that way, because external insert is supposed to compensate, would sonar work it out?

Sonar treats I/O as stereo pairs. So if you use Output 1 Output 2 gets taken as well.
I've been wanting a mono external insert for some time now.