What LE version are you using?
If you're moving up to X2, don't struggle with the layers, because, AFAIK, X1 and X2 have a different "Track lane" system from the pre Xx versions, which is nothing like in older versions. But maybe I've somehow misunderstood things, if you say you've seen layers used in X1 Essential tutorial. So, is it layers or lanes you're talking about?
My way of comping layers is: I simply drag the good takes to one, new track.