So I just looked through teh manual and there is nothing that lets me monitor the audio or to adjust the volume or levels; however I did notice on the remote that there is a "audio monitor" button, however nothing happens when I push this button.
I have an XL2 as well and I can adjust the levels, but I can find no way to do this on the GL1, is this possible or not?

The GL1 does not have audio levels or controls, but the GL2 does.

so does turning the audio volume up or down change the record volume, or is it some sort of default level when I use my lav mic?

The GL1 works with Automatic Gain Level (AGC). I don't think you can't turn it off.

Bummer, so does the GL2's audio levels work like the XL2?

The XM2 ( I can't compare to XL2, no knowledge ) has visual 2x Channel monitors, in both the E/P and the LCD. It has dual dials operating each channel - neat! It does have a set of audio presets - IMHO not valuable to me - but it does have a MIC attenuation, excellent for noisy loud band stuff! Not all occasions, but it is rather good. In fact it was the adjustable and monitoring on the XM2 PLUS the 20x zoom that swayed me in buying the XM2.

Grazie