Lab Gruppen CM82 Commercial Mixer with 8 Inputs and 2 Outputs

Product Overview

The Lab Gruppen CM82 is an 8-input, 2-output commercial mixer designed for permanent installation in commercial audio distribution systems where a dedicated mixing stage is required ahead of power amplification. It provides eight individually controlled mic/line inputs with two independent mix outputs, making it well suited for driving dual-zone commercial amplifiers, zone controllers, or DSP inputs in retail, corporate, hospitality, and institutional audio installations. The CM82 is a standalone mixer with no built-in amplification and is intended for use with a separate power amplifier or powered speaker system.

Product Description

The CM82 provides eight mic/line inputs, each with individual volume controls, accepting balanced signals from microphones, media players, and line-level sources. Two independent mix outputs allow the eight inputs to be distributed across two zones or fed to two separate downstream amplifiers or processors. The mixer includes a configurable priority muting function on the primary mic input, enabling automatic background music ducking when a paging or announcement signal is detected. Front-panel bass and treble controls provide basic tone shaping without requiring downstream equalization hardware. Input impedance of 20k ohm (balanced) and 10k ohm (unbalanced) accommodates a wide range of commercial audio source equipment. A maximum input level of +16 dBu ensures adequate headroom for line-level signals. The CM82 operates at a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with low distortion under 0.05%, maintaining audio quality across the full audio band for background music applications. The 19-inch rack-mount form factor integrates cleanly into standard commercial AV equipment racks alongside power amplifiers and source equipment.

Key Features

• 8 Mic/Line Inputs — Individually controlled balanced inputs accept microphones and line-level sources for flexible source mixing.
• 2 Independent Mix Outputs — Drives two separate downstream amplifiers, zones, or processors from a single mixer.
• Priority Muting — Configurable automatic background music ducking when a priority mic or paging source is active.
• Front-Panel Bass/Treble Controls — Basic tone shaping without requiring additional equalization hardware.
• High Input Headroom — +16 dBu maximum input level accommodates line-level sources without clipping.
• Wide Input Impedance — 20k ohm balanced / 10k ohm unbalanced for compatibility with a broad range of commercial audio sources.
• Low Distortion — Less than 0.05% THD across the operating range for clean background music reproduction.
• Rack-Mount Form Factor — Standard 19-inch rack-mount unit integrates with commercial AV equipment racks.

Typical Applications

• Multi-source commercial background music mixing (retail, restaurant, hotel)
• Front-end mixer for two-zone commercial amplifier systems
• Paging and background music mixing with priority control
• Corporate lobby and common area audio source mixing
• House of worship audio source distribution and mixing
• Conference room and boardroom audio source management
• Government facility and institutional audio mixing

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the CM82 include a built-in power amplifier?

A: No. The CM82 is a standalone mixer with no built-in amplification. It must be connected to a separate power amplifier or powered speakers. It is commonly paired with Lab Gruppen CA or FA series amplifiers in two-zone commercial audio systems.

Q: What is the benefit of using a separate mixer like the CM82 instead of a mixer amplifier?

A: A separate mixer provides more flexibility in system design. The CM82 can feed any compatible power amplifier, DSP, or zone controller, allowing independent amplifier replacement or upgrade without changing the mixing stage. It also allows higher channel counts and more sophisticated routing than integrated mixer amplifiers.

Q: Can the CM82 accept both microphone and line-level inputs simultaneously?

A: Yes. Each of the 8 inputs accepts both mic-level and line-level signals. The input impedance values of 20k ohm (balanced) and 10k ohm (unbalanced) are appropriate for both source types.

Q: What equipment do the two mix outputs connect to?

A: The two independent mix outputs feed into power amplifiers, zone controllers, DSPs, or other line-level audio processing equipment. A common configuration is to pair the CM82 with a two-channel power amplifier like the Lab Gruppen CA2402 or FA2402 for a complete two-zone commercial audio system.

Q: How does the priority muting function work?

A: When a signal is detected on the designated priority mic input, the CM82 automatically reduces the level of all background music inputs, allowing the priority announcement to be heard clearly. The priority input and ducking level are configurable.

Q: Is the CM82 suitable for permanent rack installation?

A: Yes. The CM82 is designed as a 19-inch rack-mount unit for permanent installation in commercial AV equipment racks alongside amplifiers, DSPs, and source equipment.