FX Loop + backing track input workarounds?

According to the manual, I need to use the aux in/return to connect my ipad (for backing tracks). Doing so means I can't use external pedals in an effects loop. Is there a workaround for this?

Thanks,
what would the routing look like with a mixer?

I've got the effects loop working and am using an aux feed through the mixer to get backing track playback. I've locked the loop.

New problem: when I turn the loop off, the backing track turns off, then after a second or two it comes back. Any effects still activated in the loop also come back, at a reduced volume...

any ideas?

nobody else has experienced the 'ghost loop' issue?

I'm still climbing the learning curve with this beautiful toaster, but often I've discovered that issues are resolved by something hidden in a submenu - and are not always explicitly obvious in the user manual.

My setup is:

EP booster -> Kemper head -> direct out -> strymon mobius -> strymon timeline -> eventide h9 [these three are hooked up to a dmc-6 midi controller] -> yamaha AG03 mixer [mac or ipad playback in here via its aux input] -> kemper return/alt input

This is my home practice setup, and I'm restricted to headphone use.

Issues:
* as above, I've locked the loop into X. However, if I click this off...
(a) the playback running through the mixer is gone - an inherent problem of this setup, of course
(b) however, after turning X off, the playback comes back after a second or so (could this be something to do with the alt input sensing the audio track?)
(c) the effects active in the loop come back too, at a very low, but distinctly audible level

* having the aux audio input on the mixer, in the loop, means that backing tracks are affected by kemper effects active in mod/delay/reverb, which...
(a) obviously interferes with the quality of the playback
(b) means that I essentially lose the added options offered by these effects sections
(c) means I am typically forced to use the loop for delay and reverb (while that's the primary use of my H9 anyway, I lose its flexibility)
(d) means that I have to modify the effects presets of the majority of my profiles (not a huge problem, but as I'm still in the early stages of profile trialling, I have hundreds of profiles on board...)

Am I missing something obvious?

Is there an alternative routing setup could get the mac/ipad audio out of the loop?