[Richard Crowley]

I would take the output from the mixer and put it through the compressor/limiter first, and then through the feedback eliminator and out to the powered speakers. Reason: The feedback-eliminator needs “final say” in what the levels at various frequencies should be (in order to control feedback). If you put the compressor/limiter AFTER the feedback-eliminator, then they will be fighting with each other.

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Recording audio without metering and monitoring is exactly like framing and focusing without looking at the viewfinder.

[Richard Crowley]

Production is a co-operative exercise of different teams/crews, each with their own priorities. Of course the lighting people want to get the lighting the very best they can achieve. But ignoring other aspects (like sound) is not being a team player. (And rather selfish and childish, IMHO) The lighting crew should know that sound will be recorded, and that they need to set lights so that you can boom from appropriate angles and distances.

If necessary, the lighting prople should be educated to understand how microphones work just as you understand how light work (at least to the extent that you can cast shadows with your boom, etc.)

SOMEBODY needs to be the manager over ALL the groups, typically the director. If the director gives priority to lighting at the expense of getting decent sound, then he is not doing his job properly. If it is simply a matter of ignorance, then you can attempt to educate him about how microphones work, etc. But if he simply lets his DP make these decisions, then he is abdicating his role and you need to appeal to HIS boss, the producer.

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Recording audio without metering and monitoring is exactly like framing and focusing without looking at the viewfinder.

[Richard Crowley]

Maybe they only need a “reference” or “scratch” track because they plan on replacing all the dialog with ADR or maybe even dub to a foreign language?

Else, the DP and the director sound like idiots to me. I would seek work with people who know what they are doing.

Have your A1 share the “Open Letter from your Sound Department” with the producer:
https://filmsound.org/production-sound/openletter.htm

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Recording audio without metering and monitoring is exactly like framing and focusing without looking at the viewfinder.

[Richard Crowley]

Still cannot view the video.: “This video is unavailable.”

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Recording audio without metering and monitoring is exactly like framing and focusing without looking at the viewfinder.

[Richard Crowley]

My favorite best-bang-for-the-buck is Oscar Sound Tech.
They make the two basic types of lav mics, and a nice headset mic.
And they will custom terminate the mic of your choice with whatever connector you need.
Whether for a wireless belt-pack transmitter or for direct-wired XLR, etc.

Good quality mics. Sensibly priced. Small company with personal customer service.
Recommended.

https://www.oscarsoundtech.com/

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Recording audio without metering and monitoring is exactly like framing and focusing without looking at the viewfinder.

[Richard Crowley]

Mr. Toline has made the primary point about directionality.

In addition, note that if you are working in an unfriendly acoustic environment, you can likely improve performance by getting the microphone closer to the presenter’s mouth. In modern times, using a headset microphone is becoming quite common. There are examples that are so small they are virtually invisible except for extreme close-up shots.

Note also that some microphones have higher self-noise. Azden is not generally regarded as one of the better brands of audio gear. Although some of their newer gear seems to be improving.

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Recording audio without metering and monitoring is exactly like framing and focusing without looking at the viewfinder.

[Richard Crowley]

YouTube says “This video is unavailable”. ????

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Recording audio without metering and monitoring is exactly like framing and focusing without looking at the viewfinder.

[Richard Crowley]

Are you talking about simple overload clipping? Is it only on loud syllables?
Else, I don’t know what you are referring to?

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Recording audio without metering and monitoring is exactly like framing and focusing without looking at the viewfinder.

[Richard Crowley]

Replacing sections might be tricky depending on whether the original mix has any special effects in it. Or background music, etc.

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Recording audio without metering and monitoring is exactly like framing and focusing without looking at the viewfinder.

[Richard Crowley]

Sure, you can do that if you are mixing the tracks.
But you can not do that if the track is handed to you already mixed.
Your remedies appear to be: