First post, but actually I had an account here before but I forgot mu username & password!
 
Right, pro channel console emulation. Is the best starting point to add the same console type to every track, bus and master to get a cumulative console effect? Or just put it on the master? Or what?
 
Using X3, btw.
 
Thanks - Buggs

...and has anyone A/B ed the Sonar Console with other console emulation offerings such as Sonimus Satson & Britson?

Since it is a console emulation, the thinking is it goes on every track, every bus and master, just like an analog console it emulates.
 
But like everything else, it depends upon how you hear the song.  Some people put it on select tracks, or only most of them.  I usually don't use it at all, but have found on certain songs (esp. rock) it has helped glue together the song  by using a lot of it on tracks.
 
There is also an old rule - if you don't know or  can't explain why you are adding an effect to a sound then don't do it.  Of course, if you are learning experiment away.  Just don't make a habit of adding comps or eq or anything else as  a matter of course when starting a mix.
 
@

This here from the blog Console will tell you all about them.
 
This one may also be of guidance.

I was working on a piano and orchestra piece using vst instruments. I was using the CE by flowing the instruction as per Mr Anderton's video.  I experimented with CE and the result was the lost of clarity so I ditched the CE. But when I used it on an EDM track it worked like magic.  

The CE effect is very, very subtle unless you just drive the crap out of the things. To my ears the N setting is the most noticeable. It supposedly is modeled after a Neve console. There is a little more character in it to me.
And you can mix and match. I use the N on drums and guitars a lot. The SSL setting is very good for cleaner things like vox and strings. When you mix and match be sure to take alittle time to choose the right master buss CE. The impact over the entire mix that it has is pretty crucial.

Thanks for the comments. This helps a lot.  Now - to find some time to try it out!

The CE can also make a good effect in its own right. I overdrive it for bass tracks to take advantage of the input transformer emulation.