Plug the MR-8 MKII power supply into a wall outlet or surge protector. Alternately, you can insert six AA batteries into the back of the unit for mobile use.
Connect the speaker output to an amplifier connected to your speakers or studio monitors via 1/4-inch cabling. If you are using powered monitors, you may be able to bypass an amplifier if you are using only one audio source like the MR-8 MKII. If your speakers require an amplifier, most amplifiers will allow you to use ¼-inch cables for connection, but if yours does not, you may need a special stereo ¼-inch to RCA cable. These cables are widely available through music stores and audio supply shops.
Plug a pair of headphones with a ¼-inch jack into one of the two headphone inputs. You will need headphones for listening to the sound quality of what you are recording and for adding additional tracks after the first one, a process commonly referred to as overdubbing.
Connect the female end of a microphone cable into input of a microphone. Connect the male side of the XLR microphone cable into the first input of the MR-8 MKII. You can plug up to two microphone cables in the MR-8 MKII if you are recording multiple instruments.
Connect any audio sources like guitars going through a direct box or keyboards to the ¼-inch inputs on the front display of the MR-8 MKII in the remaining inputs. Do not use the ¼-inch input and the XLR input on the same channel unless you want to record both instruments on the same channel. Alternatively, you can use the built-in microphone on the front of the recorder if you want to record something quickly. However, the sound quality will not be as good.
Select the audio tracks that you want to record on and turn the "trim" knobs up on the appropriate tracks. Bring the faders up to a minimal level and watch the meters on the display. Listen for distortion, which means you need to turn the "trim" volume down or the fader down.
Begin recording on the tracks you have set by pressing the "Record" button. Hit the "Stop" button when you are finished.
Repeat the procedure for overdubs using separate tracks.