I think a compressor should be an insert on a single channel in this case. Unlike a reverb or eq, a compressor reacts to the total signal and in fact its that reaction which makes the compression. In fact if you send only 25% of a signal on the bus, then its not even enough signal to make the compressor do anything. I put a compressor on the overall output mains, but that is to affect the entire mix in a subtle way.
Hi - I am sending a bass track to the compressor via a bus. I was
wondering if I should have the send from that channel at the maximum
going to the compressor or not?