A tip for users of consoles with onboard automation and dynamic processing from Sweetwater’s console guru Mark Phillips…
Often consoles have dynamics only on the input channels, not on the busses (Amek’s BIG console is an example of this type of setup). If this is the case with your desk, and you find you need dynamics on a buss, then patch spare channels into the Buss Inserts (or inline with the buss output); use the channel’s Line In and Direct Out (and Fader Flip if necessary to get the VCA on the channel path) and you’ll have automation and dynamics on the Buss Output.
If you don’t want to go the "insert/patch" route, assign your individual outputs to busses (Mix to Bus), monitor the busses on unused channels, then route these channels as normal.