I'm a bit disappointed that there's no digital out (just S/PDIF would be fine - for simple but flexible stereo monitoring with a prefered D/A, controlled via Totalmix). I can imagine adding wouldn't be complicated or expensive. Is there a reason? Most of the time you do need a monitoring device if you use a comfortable MADI line. Now unfortunately you do need an extra device with USB input with all the hassles to go out into the digital audio world.  As the Octamic XTC has asymmetrical analog outputs it wouldn't be the best idea to use a long line if you do location recording (eg in a church) - but indeed it's a great feature for a uncomplicated talkback out and listenback for the musicians (but: why not symmmetrical as it's there internal I guess .. perhaps on a larger D-Sub connector, would add more flexibility - as on the XTC nearly all you can think of is there already!).

Martin

PS I now will solder an extra long (LAN-)cable which will include both the talkback mic line and the AES out line to go into a Tascam DA-3000 as monitoring device.
PS2 The MIDI over MADI is great - I use it for a simple red light, starting/stopping automatically with the record button of Samplitude.