RYTM MKI w/ OB in Cubase 10.5 can't properly record for me

Hey all, running windows 10, I recently switched from Ableton to Cubase and ran into some trouble getting Cubase to record properly.
Let me explain my set up.
I have RYTM VST running as a rack instrument. When I enabled the RYTM outputs it created the tracks in a folder for RYTM. Using OB Control Panel, I select the INPUT CHANNELS FROM analog Rytm and I confirm that I hear audio in the corresponding tracks in cubase.
problem is I am unable to select record, unable to draw any midi to render in place and unable to route the audio into another channel to record in real time.
I feel like I have exhausted my options but really want to get this to work properly. Maybe I am missing something? please help!