Hello (I've rewritten this post)
I have the 9632 and Tonelab. A great combination! You can hook it up with its digital or analog outputs but dig is easiest and quality is fine. If you have not already done so, download and install the tonelab patch library, midi-control software and hook up midi in and out to the 9632. It is much easier to control tonelab with the mouse when working with a DAW at the same time.
Under settings check that the tonelab spdif output level is 0db (or u can set this on the box itself - don't have it with me to check where), attach an optical cable and set the 9632's ADAT input to spdif optical in on the HDSP control panel.
You should clock the card (enable autosync) with the tonelab (44.1kHz only) but it also works fine with card set as master.
As for analogue: when I first got the tonelab I assumed the TRS line outs would produce better results than spdif but honestly I cannot tell the difference.
If you have the stock unbalanced HDSP breakout cable, route the tonelab L and R outs to a pair of TS/RCA adapters, and try the different input levels on the HDSP control panel, starting with +4db. But I don't recommend this, should be a balanced connection. It's better to hook up the tonelab L+R to balanced inputs on an analog expansion board (eg AEB4-1 or AIS192), or to a standalone converter. This is how I record a Pod that has no dig out.
Are you sure the analog output level (small dial next to TRS outs, easy to miss) on the tonelab is turned up? Halfway should be fine. Then of course tonelab has 3-stage gain (preamp, power amp, fader).
Lastly, check signal routings in totalmix, if you are new to it start by clicking thru the presets and RTM if problems. Remember by default the first eight channels are ADAT, 9/10 spdif, 11/12 analog...
Tonelab quality rating: a silky g.benson sound like no other sim I've heard, and good for jazz and blues in general, unlike most other boxes and plugins I know. (excluding Waves GTR, the vid ad on CM disk sounds promising). Not the best distortion but definitely the least synthetic tone. A wiry Fender Twin, rich Plexi, bright, jangletastic AC30TB, Pod may have a better Mesa boogie. And very usable chorus and octaver....
Of course a sim is a sim, the results can also be fizzy, thin or harsh, with a weak bottom end. Tweaking obligatory, dont bother with the presets except "police" to start out!
PS If this sounds like an ad, it's not, I've struggled for two years with guitars and computers, BASIC AMP TONE is the biggest problem and no software or hardware really does the job. Freeware Simulanalog is as good as GRig, if not better. The Tonelab uses Korg's std REMS modelling, which is not bad, but I suspect the starved plate 12AX7 helps out.
good luck
