Using 2 keyboards via MIDI THRU...HELP

wassup y'all? here's the dilly. i got two keyboards hooked up to my MPC 2000XL (MPC is the master). One keyboard is hooked up from the MIDI OUT of the MPC to the MIDI IN of the first keyboard. Then i wired a MIDI cable from the MIDI THRU of the first keyboard to the MIDI IN of the second keyboard.

my dilemma is that i can't record a track using the MPC and the second keyboard. i have to use the first keyboard to access the sounds off the second keyboard. also, when i record a track using sounds of the first keyboard, the second keyboard is also playing during playback, using whatever sound is on the same MIDI channel. do i have it set up wrong?

i'd use one of the keyboards as a master keyboard that via mpc sequencer tracks will play and record either sounds within the mpc, the 2nd keyboard or the master keyboard itself.

master keys midi out to midi in of mpc
mid out of mpc to midi in of master keys
midi thru on mpc to midi in of 2nd keys

none of the units can share midi channels. i.e. turn off midi channels on each unit.

mpc could use channels 1-6
master keys could use channels 7-11
2nd keys could use channels 12-16

track 1 on the mpc would point to midi channel 1
track 2 to midi channel 2....etc.....

Or you could use the Midi out 2 and midi in b on the mpc to the second keyboard. Basically the hand shake method.

actually, all 3 sound sources can utilize 16 midi channels. each sequence track can choose from internal mpc, midi out A or midi out B as a sound source. each able to use any or all 16 midi channels per sound source. that'll get ya 48 tracks.

master keyboard midi out to midi in on mpc
midi A out on mpc to mdid in on master keyboard

midi B out to second keyboard

be sure to turn local OFF on master keyboard.