Getting started on ACX

[Jane]

I posted over in technical but I think maybe I need to ask a different question than I did before so I am going to rephrase and hope for a better result.
I want to start narrating for ACX. I have audacity but need to know how to use it for this purpose and have so far had little luck finding something useful on google or youtube.
I also need to know a bit about microphones. At the moment, I have a video game microphone but no idea if that will be high quality enough for this purpose (and no idea if mic quality along with program matter or if they are are separate issues. IE a better program can use a slightly less great mic etc).
I also need to know what I really need to have. I have seen ACX videos of all the stuff they think you should have but I am looking to do this on a fairly small scale and I have a small budget for getting started so I need to know what the absolute can't live without items are.
Any other advice about technical stuff is appreciated. I am going to start by narrating my own work so I am not terribly interested at this point in worrying about what other people want in a narrator etc. Thanks

[[deleted user]]

"How can an amateur sound like a professional without training or proper equipment?'

[Dana]

Hi Jane! I would recommend contacting your local college. Go online and find the name and email of instructor in audio video communication and pose the question about the microphone. You also might want to contact the college radio station. Good luck and I really admire your attitude. We all have to start somewhere and the learning experience will pay its own dividends.

[Dana]

Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone

I found this microphone highly rated for podcasts which is very similar to what you want to do. Sold on Amazon for $60.

[Jane]

Thanks a bunch. Will look at it.

[Lee]

Jane, I would recommend volunteering for a site like LibriVox.org A number of narrators have gotten their start there -- great experience and helpful people -- and there are professionals who still volunteer there. (Some use a pseudonym.) :)

Learning about different microphones, software programs and just plain experience with recording and editing are skills you can hone on LibriVox.

Hope this helps!