I searched a lot for an answer, but no luck.
I just purchased the Pana GH2 with the 14-140mm and the 20mm lenses and will arrive today.
I want to use it with two microphone source, like two lavalier mic (Sennheiser G2) or one shotgun mike for channel one (which one??) and one lav. for channel two
It's possible, so I can edit, like channel one is the shotgun mike and channel two is the lav?
Also, if the answer is yes, how about using a headphone for monitoring audio levels?
Thanks

The closest approximation you can manage to this is using a Juicedlink or Beachtek box to mix two mics and send the stereo signal to the GH2. I've done this before using dedicated audio recorders to record reference sound into the GH2.

There is no way to know exactly what audio you're recording on the GH2.

You might consider investing $100 (US) in a audio recorder like the Zoom H1 and a lav. It syncs perfectly with video, gives you your second line of audio.

I shoot weddings using 2 GH2s. Kevin's answer is correct, a Juiced Link or Beachtek box will do what you need, but in my opinion it would make more sense to use the Zoom. I have a nice wireless unit that I use much less often since I bought my Zoom recorder, it's so much easier and faster than having to hook up a wireless unit to my camera. Big time saver.

But if you must use a wireless lav and shotgun the way you descibe, Kevin's solution is the best.

Thanks the answers.
So, if I purchases the Zoom H1, I don't need my Sennheiser lavs or a shootgun mic?
This is my workflow:
I want to record two separate channels. One with the external mic. (let say a Rode shotgun or this Zoom H1) and the on second channel I use the output from the band's or DJ's mixer. That's how I recording live shows, so the quality is basically CD quality, but I mix some "real" live audio (60/40% mixed at post) recorded to a separate channel with the external mic.
How I d that with the GH2?
Laz

Maybe a shotgun on camera, Zoom doing line feed. I personally like the Videomic pro or other smaller DSLR sized shotguns, buy the regular Videomic is as good as the Pro version, just a bigger and more cumbersome.

So, with the GH2 I can record only one channel of audio? If I want to use two source, I NEED one other audio recorder?

You can record from two audio sources, with GH2 IF you use something like what Kevin suggested, the Beachtek box, or something like it. But it would be simpler in my opinion to use a shotgun on your camera, and then use the Zoom separately as your second line of audio.

OK, thanks. So how can I synchronize in post the second channel, recorded with the Zoom H1. Also, can I connect my wireless Sennheiser G2 system to this Zoom H1?

Not sure why you would want to hook the Zoom to your wireless. You use the Zoom in place of the wireless.

To sync the audio from the zoom you would sync it like any audio trace. It's pretty simple, but hard for me to verbalize, but it is easy to do. If you've never done it someone could explain better than I could.

You can also use a cheap special audio splitter cable that will take in two 3.5mm connectors and it sends connector 1 to the left channel only and connector 2 to the right channel only. Works great with traditional video cameras. On my GH1 it worked but the AGC sort of kills it if one mic is loader then the other since the AGC works on the stereo signal and not each channel. I honestly have not tried it yet on my GH2 but it may work better since you can dial down the the AGC.

Don't have a link right now but these adapters can be bought on Amazon for like $5.00.

Clearly not a perfect solution but you can't beat the price. When you edit you have to split your stereo track into two audio tracks. Pretty easy to do these days.

Thomas,I thought about that, but I never did that way, because since I started my busines (21 years ago), I always had a professional, XLR cameras, with two separate audio channel. I never used "prosumer" cameras for my work, this is my first one. I love the look of the video of the GH2, so I thought I can try it.
Jeff, I know how sync in post, sometimes I did that for different reason. But, I still don't understand the workflow of this Zomm H1. May I need to see it first and I will understand right after.
Laz

Here's a Zoom and GH2 set up. I am monitoring and sending the Zoom output to the GH2 with a Sescom line to mic with headphone jack cable. The Zoom is attached to the tripod with a Gorilla Pod. The talent hasn't shown up yet, what a way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Shoot went well and the Zoom track was automatically synced up with the video track in FCPX using the synchronize tracks function.

So, you recorded with the camera or on the Zoom? Or both?
When you recording with the camera you always need to start and stop the Zoom together with the camera?
Laz

Both. The output of the Zoom goes to the camera for a reference track. I start the camera first and then the Zoom. At the end I stop the Zoom and then the camera. Easier to sync the audio later if each shot has it's own audio file. It's not the cleanest set-up but it works well and the Zoom audio is much better than the GH2 audio.

Thanks for ll of you.
So, I can setup my Sennh G2 lav to my Zoom and the Rode videomic to the camera? Or both to the Zoom and I don't even need the Rode?
Also, I need the H4n or the H1 is enough?
Thanks

I don't understand why you need or want to hook your wireless to the zoom.

Just use a shotgun on the camera. That's one audio track.

Then use the Zoom (H1 shoud be fine) as a recorder. Put it wherever you want to and then record the performance.

Later you download the zoom file and bring it into your editing program just like you do a video file.

How you manage the audio file when you edit is a separate issue, but pretty easy to deal with.

I recording from the band or the DJ's output. In post I edit the mic's and the board's out, so the final audio is very clear. This is how I recording live events always.

My $0.02...

The camera's mic preamp can be quite noisy when used with an external microphone and it seems to be related to the microphone's output impedance. Trying to get rid of the noise is very difficult because it happens across a broad spectrum, not just in the high frequency range.

I have a Sennheiser MKE 300 shotgun, 600 Ohms - noisy
My Sennheiser G2 wireless, 600 Ohms - noisy
Audio Technica 835b shotgun, 300 Ohms - noisy
Audio Technica Pro 70 lav 150 Ohms - dead quiet

I was about to dump my Sennheiser MKE 300 until I tried it on the Zoom H1 - absolutely clean.

I also tried my G2 system with the Zoom and it was also noise-free. (sold the AT shotgun so I didn't try it).

Someone recommended using the Zoom's built-in stereo mics instead of the shotgun. After purchasing the Zoom H1 I did a quick test and found that in a quiet environment (my home) the Zoom's built-in mics picked up sound as well as the Sennheiser shotgun from 3' out to 10' - and it was stereo, not mono.

You've received several suggestions here on how to use the Zoom. IMHO all the suggestions are quite good; the method you choose will depend on your preference for a given situation. Just know that the Zoom is an excellent tool and well worth the money.

FYI, I also considered the BeachTek adapter but went with the Zoom so that I'd have headphone outputs to monitor the audio that was being fed to the camera. If a cable was not plugged in all the way or had a mechanical issue that was causing noise the camera's audio meters could show that audio was being recorded and you'd have no way of hearing that there was an issue with it.

The Zoom is cheaper than the correct Beachtek for the GH2 (at least when I bought it). I tried the Zoom as an on-camera mic, didn't work out so well. Too clumsy. I might be shooting a small concert this week and the Zoom's on board mics will make a much better room recording than my excellent Rode mike plugged directly into the camera. The only problem is finding a safe place to mount the Zoom away from audience noise.

Thanks for all of you. I already purchased today a Rode videomic and look like I'll order a Zoom H1 from B&H.
This way I can try my self.
Thanks again for all of you.
Laz

William, what do you mean by the "correct" Beachtek. I notice there is the DXA pro and the DXA 5D, with a big price difference.
I have Sony wireless mics and a Rode NTG 2.
I would prefer the beachtek as it has more versatility, but not sure if I need the "pro" version.

Beachtek offers a battery powered adapter that sends out a signal that overrides the AGC on the camera so you can get stabile audio levels. It's not worth it to me if I can get a backup recording in a better quality audio file for less. Plus route the audio to the camera just like a Beachtek.

For field recording as a ENG type set up (radio mics and Rode) I'm split between a zoom and a beachtek. Currently I just plug into XLR's on my Z5 and monitor on headphones, but I'm unsure about which option and what model for the GH2 - zoom HN1 or H4n or beachtek DXA 5d or Pro.
Any suggestions as it seems pretty 50/50 on this thread.?

The Beachtek is ergonomic in that it attaches to the camera and you can leave it on forever where the Zoom is another device that you have to worry about setting up, cables, pushing buttons, syncing up, etc. That's a big plus for the Beachtek.

Thanks William,
I'll probably go with the Pro version as I like the ability to see levels and monitor from the camera. It is more expensive but audio recording is not something I want to save money on. I think you get what you pay for.