The mbox is designed to accept an instrument input. That's why it has 3 settings; mic/line/inst.
The 002/002r are designed that way too, they just work differently (though I'm not exactly clear on the impedance issue here...digi?).
From the 002/002r getting started guide:
Quote:
Inputs 1–4 accept microphone, instrument (direct
in) or line-level signals. Inputs 5–8 accept
line-level signals only.
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A DI box is not
necessary, but most engineers would recommend it, and depending on which DI, you will probably like the tones you get with a DI better than plugging directly into the mbox or 002/002r.
I plug straight into my 002r currently, but plan on doing just as A2D D2A suggested when I get a decent pre.