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The Official Media Space of Orlando S. Gondar
How to Improve the audio quality of the Panasonic GH2
Improving the audio quality of the Panasonic GH2 can be done with the hack via Ptool to increase the BPS of the audio from 192,000bps to 440,000bps. Just add it to the patch you are currently using. You will lose the ability to preview the videos on camera but its not a bad trade off. That’s the simple method via in camera settings but what about external methods? Syncing in post is common in the film world and big names include the infamous marantz and the zoom products for the indie crowd. Only one of these is perfect to keep on board or on a shoulder rig / cage offering the unique opportunity to feed directly into the camera and avoiding post syncing.
The Zoom H4n Handy Mobile 4-Track Recorder
The zoom h4n is a great tool for recording audio on set while you film with The Panasonic GH2. The downside used to be having to sync in post and while this is a common practice when shooting with film, the digital crowd may not be as patient. As a result you may want to plug in an H4n directly into the camera. This is a great idea but the only problem is losing the ability to monitor audio with your headphones/line output plugged into the gh2 or the h4n. There is also a difference in the line level between the H4n and the gh2. The solution to this is the wonderful Sescom cable that will give you a headphone tap as well as get your line into the gh2 from the h4n. Sescom has designed this cable specifically for the Panasonic GH2 and it handles the audio and level difference while giving you a headphone tap! Fantastic.
The Sescom LN2MIC-ZMGHN-MON
Combining the two you will now have the ability to use professional microphones via the h4n and not worry about syncing! Thanks to this cable design you can still monitor audio from the h4n but Depending on the microphone you use, on board mics, or externals you will have to readjust your levels (volume) to match but that’s just about as complicate as it will get.
I highly recommend using the hack for audio in Ptools for your GH2 and setting it to 448000 bps. This will allow you to use higher quality audio settings in the h4n and maintain fidelity when running the line into the GH2 but it is optional.
For more information on hacking the GH2 see my tutorial which now includes a concise hack pack! All you have to do is add the audio setting to the patch, or w.e patch you intended to use. Keep in mind you will no longer be able to preview video with the audio quality so high. A small trade off for professional audio if you ask me. If you don’t use the audio hack because you absolutely need the in camera previews that’s ok, the above h4n Sescom combo still greatly improve the audio quality. I personally don’t have to review every shot on set so its a non issue for me to use the added bps for the audio via the hack. It provides a remarkable boost in audio quality but either way you will be very happy.
Please, do you have a video with the comparison of 192,000bps and 440,000bps on the GH2 + H4N ??
Thanks for this blog post.
Do you think the H4n is better than the Rode VideoMic Pro? That’s what I use with my GH2. The VMP is much better than the oem mic but I’m wondering if the H4n is going to be different/better.
The H4n adds xlr inputs sorely missing from a professional camera, allowing you to use variety of really fancy high quality mics. I do find that even the on board H4n mics clearly surpass the GH2′s but i have not used a Rode VideoMic Pro for a direct comparison.
Sorry, I should mention that for monitoring I have the JuicedLink DS214 for audio monitoring.
Naive question perhaps – Where is this audio hack located? I do not see a link in your article. Also – will the GH2 retain the Audio hack after I install and try out various Driftwood picture hacks?
The Gh2 does not stack up firmwares. if its not in that edition then its not there. By that logic you would have stock settings even tough you installed the hack… at the same time. no.
In ptool you enable it under audio patches.. its in there. i’m not home at the moment but i will tell you exactly where tonight. its not hard to find thought, take a look at your options.
Have just purchased an H4N. Is there a patch to improve audio quality on Panasonic Video Cameras other than the GH2? My camera is Panasonic HD700.
I cant speak for camera hacking outside the gh2 but i will say Cameras are unique in their technology hardware and as a result, Their firmware. A patch using my tools is useless to you, you would need someone to take a huge investment in creating tools for hacking your specific camera the first place let alone any patches. Short answer no.
@osgondar
Just to add to your blog, I wanted to let you know that we’ve also improved the metering, noise floor and overall AGC behavior on the GH2.
http://perlichtman.com/pasdenapulse/wordpress/category/tutorials/
Let me know if the “Pasadena Pulse Audio V2 Beta 2″ audio settings are as helpful to you as they have been to others.
can you combine this audio patch with the span my bitch up v2 patch i provide in my guide with out ill effects? if so i am interested in testing it. That would make for a nice middle ground for everyone not on extreme cards.
Yes, no side-effects have been reported in combining this patch with any visual patch, including SMBU v2 (which I recently tested extensively).
Feel free to include the combined patch if you mention my site in the decription in the INI file and your page.
great article! Do you know if this cable also works with the new Tascam DR-40 audiorecorder?
cheers,
Peter