Maschine MK3 still not recording MIDI on M1 Mac running Logic!!!!!!

I have been trying to get Logic Pro to receive and record midi from my

NI Maschine MK3 since I purchased this M1 Mac Studio last year.

at one point recently I had my Logic running and receiving the audio signal from Maschine. the audio meters moved and you can hear it thru monitors/headphones. but it would not record. within the audio chain connected to computer is my Akai mini MKP. the Akai can play the sounds of one pad selected on Maschine and THAT WILL record...??

I literally am at my wits end. NI has no idea what is going on. anyone have any ideas on what I might be doing wrong. all cables are correct. I followed midi setup instructions as directed...??