inserts on tracks

Hello!

I use cubase artist 8 on a macbook pro. When i start the template acoustic gitar and vokal there are several lights illuminated in the inspector. inserts, eq and sends. When i turn on my mic i get a signal, but too get the sound out i have too click on the icon thats blue on the insert. Or i have to go inn on the “e” inn VSTdynamics and remove the blue light on the gate down inn the left inn this window. When i do this i can record. But when i playback the recording there is no effects on the playback. Any solutions?