Premiere Pro 23.6 - Voice Over Button is active, but not recording

Using Premiere Pro 23.6 on Mac OS Ventura 13.4, iMac 3.6 GHZ 8-core intel Core i9, Memory: 64 GB 2667 MHz DDR4

Using a PYLE PAD10MX 2 channel USB mixer with a audiotechnica broadcast style microphone XLR into the small board, I can record in other programs like ZOOM, but can't record in premiere

Things I have already checked

1) re-starting the entire system multiple times

2) re-installed premiere pro 23, made sure it was the most recent version

3) SYSTEM SETTINGS > AUDIO: Microphone input is set and visible/audible 

4) SYSTEM SETTINGS > SECURITY AND PRIVACY > MICROPHONE > Premiere Pro has permission

Setings in Premiere Pro 23

1) SETTINGS > AUDIO HARDWARE:  Microphone input is set and visible/audible 

2) IN TIMELINE > VOICEOVER RECORD SETTINGS: Microphone input is set and visible/audible 

3) IN AUDIO TRACK settings the channel I am recording to (Channel 1) I have the "R" set to red to record

The Microphone icon usually used to record is NOT greyed-out, it is white and turns red when pushed, however it does not start recording or laying down anything on the timeline. I have only gotten it to work twice over the last week after vigorous testing, I even left the computer on after I got it to record, came back later, and it suddenly wasn't recording again.  I can't get it to work consistently after multiple computer re-starts and software re-boots.  

Any ideas how to resolve?