Connections for the MR-8HD are on the top of the recorder above the sliders and on the back of the recorder. The input connections are all on the front of the recorder above the sliders and are labeled Input A, Input B, Input C and Input D. Use these inputs to connect microphones via XLR cables or instruments via the 1/4" inputs. The XLR connections on the MR-8HD can provide 48 volts of phantom power to condenser microphones that need it. After connecting the microphone, press the "Menu" button, rotate to Input and press "Menu" again, then rotate to Phantom Power, press "Menu," then rotate to ON and press "Menu" to turn it on.
Near the top right of the MR-8HD, to the left of the LCD screen, are output connections for headphones and for powered studio monitors. These use 1/4" instrument style plugs. Connect monitors or headphones so you can listen while you record.
To create a song for recording, press "Menu," rotate to Song, press "Menu" again, and rotate to New Song, then press "Menu," then use the character keys to enter a name for the song. Use the Menu to rotate the input cursor forward or backward, and the Undo/delete key to delete a letter. After entering the song name, press "Menu" twice to save the name. You are now ready to record.
To record to the song you just created, hook up the instrument and press the record key for the track you want to record--the track you have the instrument hooked to. Now press the main record key on the bottom right of the MR-8HD once to activate input monitor. Adjust the volume with the sliders, and the input volume using the Trim control for the input track. After setting the levels, to start recording hold down the record key and press the play button, then play the song on the instrument. To stop recording, press the stop button. To listen to the track, press the rewind button, then the play button. To undo the recording, press the undo button.
Overdubbing is a way to record additional instruments or vocals onto the previously recorded track. It is the best way to multitrack record. To overdub on the MR-8HD, connect the instrument or microphone to the track you want to record to. For instance, connect a vocal microphone to track 2. Press the record button for that track to arm it, and set levels again as you did before. You can set the levels against the previously recorded track by pressing play. Now rewind the track and press record and play at the same time. When finished, press the stop button.
The MR-8HD does not have a CD burner, so you will need to export the audio to a computer or hook up a CD burner (or MD recorder or DAT) via the digital output on the back of the recorder. After connecting the recorder, press the play button and use the master faders to adjust the output levels. Rewind the track, press record on your recorder and play on the MR-8HD.