Thank you for your interest in the new Reface instruments!

Since the Refaces sound so good, I think it's a pity that I need an A/D converter to record the audio of these instruments.

Not quite true. True, they do sound so good!!! But if you wish to record these with a digital audio recorder - you will need an A/D converter (that is a given) - any of the organs being modeled in the YC, any of the vintage keyboards being modeled in the CP, the virtual analog synth engine of the CS and the DX-stype FM engine all were recorded in a world where digital recording was limited to MIDI data!!! It is not a pity nor even much of a downer. If your goal is digital recording - you need an audio interface to get audio into your computer, be it the Reface or a flute, guitar, or vocal.

Firstly, I would need such a converter.

Yes, if you wish to record anything digitally to say a computer (including your voice singing), you will require an audio interface to do your A/D conversion. YES, you will need a converter. It's a pity your computer does not come with a proper professional A/D converter built-in - after all it is the device you are most likely going to record to, correct? Although it is certainly not your only option.

Every handheld recorder these days has a quality A-to-D converter built-in. The Yamaha Pocketrak recorders do a wonderful job of digital audio recording. We really don't see the point of duplicating it on a device whose primary function may not be digitally recording. Hope you can see (a slightly) bigger picture, here. The trade off is not that huge - when looking at the target audience for Reface - most already have some form of A/D to record to their computers (as you know, computers don't come with pro grade audio interfaces).

Secondly, the sound degrades (a bit) with the D/A (inside the Reface) and A/D (in the computer interface) conversions . It would be nice to stay in the digital domain when recording.

We disagree. Not if you spend the coin to get a decent A/D converter. The "sound degrades", if there is any at all, is certainly not audible (of course, we do not know what digital audio interfaces you have been looking at - we can recommend several that will not break the bank, and will not degrade the audio quality). And the D/A converters of the Reface, as you say in your opening sentence, do "sound so good" - we agree!

To what type of digital device do you wish to record?
Do you need recommendations of good audio interfaces?
We truly hope you pose your question to computer manufacturer's as well. Where is the pro quality A/D and DA on your $1500+ computer? The inputs and outputs on the typical $3000 computer are still a joke (seriously, a joke). This is why there is an entire niche industry to serve getting audio into and out-of your computer.

Can the Reface output its sound digitally via USB to computer?

We are sure you are referring to outputting digital AUDIO to the computer - strange, you start your post by saying you know it does not, but end with a question about can it - hmmm! It can output digital signal in the form of MIDI messages (yes, MIDI is still very digital and can be recorded by your computer). But, no, it does not send digital audio via USB audio output. And I'm sure that was a pricing consideration - the goal was to make the sound engine as flexible and quality sounding as possible for the widest audience.

We are certain, you can find a quality, pro grade Audio Interface (that will not degrade your sound) and allow you to record to the device you desire. We recommend you look at ones that are more than just two channels, in case you later need to record something additional simultaneously. These audio interfaces come in two channels and run up through the scores of audio channels... purchase based on your realistic requirements.
Seems it would be duplicating a function for a wide majority of its target audience (as many already have a quality audio interface to do the A/D work for them).
Seriously, if this is the first device and only device you plan on recording - we highly recommend taking a serious look at today's small format Audio Interfaces - they do not degrade the audio. If you plan on being totally mobile with your recording - we can recommend small format mixers that can run on a USB-battery and prepare the signal properly for a laptop or tablet... the new Yamaha AG03 and AG06 fit nicely into this scenario.

Hope that helps.

Thank you, Bad Mister, for your extensive answer. I really appreciate it!

I was estimating that the Reface wouldn't be much more expensive with audio output over USB. Apparently I was wrong.

Thanks again for your effort of sharing your knowledge,

Maarten

Roland has managed to offer this feature in their Boutique line at a lower price point.

In a DSP-based product such as the DX Reface, the argument that the sounds would lose their authenticity doesn't make a lot of sense.

Please consider building products that are more complementary to the way most musicians work today -- in a DAW.

When you buy any Roland module plus the docking keyboard, it will be the same price of a Reface plus a simple interface.

The Rolands have the built-in "interface", but guess what they don't have?!?! A keyboard! You have to start buying keyboards/controllers for each of them! In the end you have 3 Roland modules, 3 interfaces, and no keyboard! How cool is that?