Based on advice from Mixerman, I patch in the 2-mix compressor right after I've got a basic balance. It seem to work well.

I'll second that. I used to put it on after I got my mix together and then I'd spend another 1/2 hour getting things right again before I could get back to mixing.

Usually from the go. Sometimes a little after, generally when I start working on the chorus(or the most dynamic part of the song).

I start with the mix going through a compressor very early on. I set the threshold very low and output high and gradually lighten up on these settings as I get more things into the mix.

For me it's pretty much early on, at the very end, or not at all.

Unless I wanted it but then forgot about patching it in until halfway through the mix.

How's that for a definitive answer.

Jon

Well, I guess we all get to it pretty quick. I like to incorporate the sound early on. This way my mix gets closer to the final sound sooner. Thanks all!