So I have some outboard compressors I still love to use when mixing. I use them with the external insert feature in Sonar X2. Works great when I use them in the effects bin. 

However, sometimes I want a little more flexibility in my signal chain and want to put the external compressor between modules of the pro channel. But when I use an FX chain in the pro channel and put the external insert there it no longer signal going out from Sonar. 

The output meter on the external insert window shows output, but the meters for my sound card don't. 

Anyone else tried this? Any ideas?

Same problem here. Drop an external insert into the prochannel, configure i/o and the audio doesn't make it back into the return. Drop the the same external insert into the fx bin and it's fine. 

Huh. I can't remember if you can have two instances of the effects bin on the PC but I think that's the one module that cannot be doubled up in X2. I do think you can move the FX bin where you want though so maybe if put just the compressor in there and work the rest of your effects into FX Chain modules instead of the bin you could figure out a routing set up that does what you want. I haven't played around with this stuff for a while though or may be misunderstanding something but the PC in X2 is pretty darned flexible and the FX Chain modules make it even more so. There's gotta be a way to make it work. Just might not be pretty. Cheers.

I obviously need to research this external insert thing.  I have wondered about it.
 
The way I have been using an external effect seems too complicated and limited.  I send a track to the digital out of my V-Studio IO, plug that into the effect (which luckily accepts digital), then bring digital in back into a separate track.
 
In the ancient analog days it was simpler: every track on the board had a quareter inch in and a quarter inch out so you could patch an effect right in.  It seems way too hard now in a 30 to 60 track project with only eight ins/outs on the IO (plus the digital).  7 of the inputs are always in use: 3 stereo keyboards and a mic.  Of course, I could unplug a keyboard that was not needed at the moment, but it would be nice to use one or several effects without rewiring everything.
 

Hi folks,
IIRC, EI doesn't work in an FX chain. I'll replicate when I get into the studio but I'm pretty sure it hasn't worked when I've tried in the past.
 
Oh, and Konrad, I hear ya when it comes to EI and analog I/O. That's why I've ended up with 48(!) channels of A/D conversion. Well...that and because I clearly have a problem when it comes to studio gear acquisition 
 
Dean