total noob needs help routing midi...is killing me

[flocked]

I'm new to midi gear.  I would like to run a (from what I am told) simple setup and I am proving myself to be an idiot.  Can you Help?

I have the beatstep, an Electribe ES-1 MK2 and a Sub Phatty.   

I also have a midi thru box.

I'm trying to either run the ES-1 as master or the Beatstep as master. I use the Beatstep as a hidden functions controller for the sub phatty as well as running sequences to the SubP. 

Ideally I would like to retain the functions from Beatstep to SubP while either the ES-1 or the Beastep being clock. 

anyone have ideas? 

[flocked]

I removed the thru box from the equation and routed beatstep to midi in on ES-1 then ES-1 thru to SubP.  everything works except the control functions of the beatstep to SubP...