what do you guys think about this?

Blue Microphones Icicle USB Converter / Mic Preamp from audioMIDI.com

it's a small xlr-to-usb interface, im guessing w a small A/D converter inside.

or maybe something like this:

http://www.music123.com/TASCAM-US-12...68882.Music123

but that's half the cost of a decent shotgun mic. so many choices...