Thanks for your replies!

I don't want to record my POD using analog outs as I don't need the sound. I only need the dry signal for later use...I have some Toontrack metal packs.

I have a Delta 1010LT soundcard that is old and isn't available in stores anymore but still a good card:


I only need a DI box to record the dry signal...I have passive picksups (Ibanez RG 350EX with default INF humbuckers). Of course a volume knob is important so my guitar won't be too loud anymore.

I'll get a Palmer PAN 01 DI box.

Simplest / cheapest solution is to turn down volume on the guitar.
If that is unacceptable because it affects the tone (on some guitars the highs get rolled off along with the volume) then you'll either need to modify the guitar (there are easy mods to specifically address this issue) or use a pedal to attenuate the signal instead of increasing it.
 

Seriously to get good guitar tone you need to use the correct pre amp that is matching impedance. 
Nothing makes a guitar sound worse than using the wrong input. 
Yes a good DI box will solve the issue if it's one that is specifically made for electric guitar. Look at what Radial has to offer, this is just one of many. From this you can use your XLR inputs. 
 
http://www.radialeng.com/jdi.php
 

 

I was under the impression that the OP was looking for a low/no $ option.
but Johnny is on the money - if the quality of the DI signal is important then a good DI will make a significant difference.
For DI's, this is still my favorite.
http://www.countryman.com/type-85-direct-box/
While I haven't compared it directly against radial engineering's boxes (which I've heard nice things about) my experience / preference has been to always go with an active DI (Radial Engineering does have an active DI version).
The Countryman can be picked up used on Ebay or Reverb at a decent price.
 
On the other hand the 'quality' of the DI signal may not be significant factor when using the Toontrack metal packs.  Depends on how it uses the original signal and other factors.
With Amp modelers like Line6 having a better quality DI signal doesn't usually correlate to a better result. I switched from using a Line6 DI because I thought the output was too low and lacking quality but found that a hotter cleaner signal made the PODFarm plugin sound terribile - it needs a lower input to get the best results.
Also the first piece of advice many pros give metal heads or high gain amp fans is to use a band pass filter to roll off the highs & low end off your guitar signal before passing the signal to your virtual amps.
So just saying that you could end up spending time/money pursuing a pristine DI signal and then have to throw away the gains to get your desired amp sound.
 
Maybe a Toontrack Metal user can comment on what the plug prefers for input.

LeanderAT
I'll get a Palmer PAN 01 DI box.

Im sorry maybe im missing something.
Your going to buy a DI box that will cost almost the same price as a Focusrite Scarlet solo (which has a built in DI and built in pre amps and volume control and an XLR jack - 1/4 jack) ? But I guess if that Delta 1010LT (that was specifically made for Windows 98) is running good than...
Good luck with this.
 

chuckebaby

LeanderAT
I'll get a Palmer PAN 01 DI box.

Im sorry maybe im missing something.
Your going to buy a DI box that will cost almost the same price as a Focusrite Scarlet solo (which has a built in DI and built in pre amps and volume control and an XLR jack - 1/4 jack) ? But I guess if that Delta 1010LT (that was specifically made for Windows 98) is running good than...
Good luck with this.
 

Good point

As an alternative to a DI box, consider a small mixer instead. This one has 2 guitar inputs and costs about the same as a DI box.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/402VLZ4
A DI box is a one trick pony whereas a mixer has various capabilities, e.g. combining or splitting a signal.