Yeah, that's what I was concerned the answer was going to be. XLR is capable of carrying stereo, but that isn't usually the way it's done, so hardly surprising that it isn't supported that way. I guess I can stop blaming the XLR->Dual TRS cable connector I have. It just annoys me that when I know and XLR *can* do it (albeit with a sacrifice of usable range), and I know I have one of the most advanced interfaces available, that I can't choose that type of output.

Ah well. For now, I have the room, but it limits me in the future in a way I don't want to be limited. I suppose that means I better start saving my pennies for a UFX or something else. Heck, I probably should start digging in on doing my homework better about how I want it all to fit together and what will allow that to happen. I'm an RME fan, but it's a non-trivial path to follow. It can get convoluted in a hurry to the insufficiently initiated.

Good advice. Probably something I would have done next time around, but good to have the call out so I am actively thinking about it. I'll probably approach it from the perspective of getting to a point where I have a "this is what makes sense to me" level and then come visit for a reality check. I'll probably leave out the specifics of what way makes sense to be and just include high-level thinking and existing + likely future requirements as I see them and see what the pros suggest.

That’s how balanced outputs work. They are never stereo or switchable. Manuals are a must read before you buy. It clearly states that the headphone outputs are nit exclusive. As you can see in TotalMix there is a single stereo output for them. I have the Babyface pro nd it’s a great audio interface but it sounds like you should have gone for the ucx which has more outputs.

What I would do (and have done) is get a simple adat expansion like the Behringer ADA8200 which then gives you 8 more outputs. Cheap and cheerful. Not so good though if you do a lot of mobile work. I’m static so it’s fine.

Stereo over XLR can happen, but as I've learned with a bit more digging, it's arguably a bastardization of things rather than a real implementation. Skills/Knowledge wise, I'm in that limbo land where I know a lot more than the "average Joe" but am still far more on that average Joe side of the spectrum than I am the "pro" - let alone master - side of the spectrum. That can sometimes leave me in a spot where I'm digging for answers to some great questions, but still unaware of other questions I should be asking.

i had been aware of using the ADAT to gain more channels, but my search for hardware to take that path kept turning up solutions that were as expensive (or nearly so) as the BabyFace itself was. The Behringer mentioned by @mkok is probably the least expensive option I've seen that actually seems viable. I have to temper my tendency to overbuy (as one can argue I did with the BF although I have no regrets there) vs. not winding up buying something I'm going to have to replace not all that far down the road. This isn't for full pro studio use, but my needs do seem to be ever increasing as I balance my relatively Simple VO needs against music and composition as well as upcoming video/podcast needs.

I appreciate all the help and information thus far. It's given me some new things to look into to continue to increase my understanding of the various pieces. Recording Engineering and, eventually, music producing was my original career aspiration some 40 years ago, but fate didn't make that path reasonably available to me back then. I do, however, find my way inching back in that direction all these years later, so it feels like an old dream rekindled.

Except the Audio Technica AT2022 which has - for some reasons - an unbalanced 3-pin XLR stereo out.

I have not understand completly, can you use two Monitors for monitoring with the Babyface and at the same time have a paar of headphones plugged in?

It seem theres a flaw in the construction? I am not Sure. Thanks.