Temple Audio Duo 17 Review: The Modular Pedalboard Revolution

When Temple Audio introduced the Duo 17, they challenged the industry’s assumption that velcro is the only practical pedal mounting system. Their alternative—a precision screw-hole mounting grid—revolutionized pedalboard thinking. The Duo 17 represents what happens when Canadian engineering meets guitar culture: thoughtful innovation that respects both professional requirements and aesthetic preferences.

The Duo 17 is 17 x 12.5 inches, fitting naturally into a space between compact and full-size boards. But its innovation extends far beyond dimensions. This is a platform that adapts to your gear philosophy, whether you prefer the simplicity of velcro-free mounting or the flexibility of Temple’s Quick Release pedal plates. It’s a board for players who’ve thought deeply about their rig and want a solution that matches their sophistication.

Key Features

The Duo 17 measures 17 x 12.5 inches—essentially identical to the Novo 18 in footprint, but with fundamentally different mounting philosophy. The aluminum frame is Canadian-made with precision manufacturing evident in every detail. The mounting surface features an innovative grid of screw holes spaced at regular intervals, creating a systematic approach to pedal placement.

Rather than relying on adhesive velcro, pedals mount directly to this screw-hole grid using small mounting brackets. This approach eliminates velcro deterioration, which is genuinely significant for musicians who regularly reconfigure their rigs. You’ll never deal with worn velcro adhesion or residue buildup. Pedals mount with permanent security and can be rearranged by simply unbolting brackets.

Temple Audio’s Quick Release pedal plates (sold separately) are the ecosystem’s cornerstone. These custom-fitted plates mount to individual pedals, allowing instant removal and installation without tools. This modular approach means you can literally swap pedals mid-tour, which is revolutionary for working musicians maintaining multiple rigs or varying setups for different venues.

The Duo 17 accommodates 10-14 pedals depending on configuration and pedal sizes. The screw-hole system is flexible enough to accommodate various mounting orientations, including vertical stacking for larger pedals or expression controllers. This flexibility is genuinely useful for custom rig design.

Build & Design

The screw-hole mounting grid is the Duo 17’s defining design choice. Rather than smooth velcro-compatible surface, you get precision-machined aluminum with regular screw holes. This serves multiple purposes: it eliminates velcro maintenance, provides permanent pedal security, and creates a professional aesthetic that photographs exceptionally well. The board looks intentional, engineering-focused, and uncluttered.

The precision manufacturing is evident throughout. Canadian-made construction means tolerances are tight and materials are premium. The aluminum frame shows no cost-cutting, with welding quality and edge finishing that rivals or exceeds competitors costing significantly more. This is manufacturing that respects the musician.

Cable routing is simplified compared to Pedaltrain’s under-board approach, but the concept remains functional. The screw-hole grid actually assists cable management by providing anchor points for routing—you can zip-tie cables to adjacent screw holes, creating organized pathways. The open mounting surface means cables don’t hide underneath; instead, they’re managed visibly but neatly.

The modular ecosystem extends to Temple Audio’s Quick Release system. While pedal plates are sold separately (adding to total cost), they represent genuine innovation. Once plates are installed on your pedals, mounting/dismounting pedals from the board takes seconds. This is genuinely useful for touring musicians or those maintaining multiple boards.

Who Should Buy the Temple Audio Duo 17

The Duo 17 appeals to musicians with specific priorities: you value aesthetics and engineering, you regularly reconfigure your rig, or you maintain multiple boards. The lack of velcro is genuinely significant for touring musicians who want permanent reliability—no adhesive failure mid-tour. Studio professionals appreciate the clean aesthetic and permanent pedal security.

Musicians investing in Quick Release pedal plates love the modular approach. If you’re swapping pedals between multiple boards or venues, Temple Audio’s system is genuinely faster than velcro mounting. This is particularly valuable for session players juggling different client requirements or touring bands with varied setups.

The screw-hole approach also appeals to musicians who’ve had velcro failure nightmares. If you’ve ever had a pedal shift mid-performance or dealt with worn adhesive, the Duo 17’s mechanical mounting feels genuinely reassuring. It’s a “set it and forget it” mounting system that never degrades.

Conversely, if you’re price-sensitive or prefer velcro’s simplicity, the Duo 17 might feel unnecessarily complex. Quick Release plate costs add up when outfitting multiple pedals. The screw-hole approach requires mounting brackets that aren’t as affordable as velcro strips. For budget-conscious musicians, Pedaltrain remains a better value.

Related Gear

If you found this review helpful, check out these related articles:

• Temple Audio Trio 28 Review: Ultimate Modular Pedalboard
• Pedaltrain Classic 2 Review: The Industry-Standard Pedalboard
• RockBoard QUAD 4.2 Review: German-Engineered Pedalboard
• Source Audio Collider: Dual-Engine Delay and Reverb in a Single Pedal

Related Gear

If you found this review helpful, check out these related articles:

• Temple Audio Trio 28 Review: Ultimate Modular Pedalboard
• Pedaltrain Classic 2 Review: The Industry-Standard Pedalboard
• RockBoard QUAD 4.2 Review: German-Engineered Pedalboard
• Source Audio Collider: Dual-Engine Delay and Reverb in a Single Pedal

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the screw-hole mounting system work?

The Duo 17 features a precision grid of screw holes across the mounting surface. Pedals mount using small brackets that bolt to these holes, eliminating the need for adhesive velcro. The screw-hole system never deteriorates, provides permanent pedal security, and allows unlimited reconfiguration. Pedals can be repositioned by simply unbolting brackets—no adhesive residue or degradation.

What are Temple Audio Quick Release pedal plates?

Quick Release plates are custom-fitted mounting plates sold separately for individual pedal models. Once installed on your pedals, these plates allow instant board mounting without tools. You simply slide plates into the screw-hole grid and twist a locking mechanism. This creates a modular system where pedals can be swapped between boards or removed for compact packing in seconds—ideal for touring musicians.

How many pedals fit on the Temple Audio Duo 17?

The Duo 17 accommodates 10-14 pedals depending on pedal size and mounting orientation. The screw-hole grid provides flexible arrangement options—you can orient pedals vertically, use smaller footprints, or stack compatible units. Compared to velcro-based boards of similar size, the screw-hole system actually maximizes usable space through flexible mounting angles.

Is the Duo 17 worth the premium price over Pedaltrain boards?

The Duo 17 costs more than comparable Pedaltrain boards, but the premium reflects genuine innovations: permanent screw-hole mounting (eliminating velcro maintenance), Canadian precision manufacturing, and modular ecosystem compatibility. If you value engineering aesthetics, require permanent pedal security, or use Quick Release plates across multiple boards, the Duo 17 justifies its cost. Budget-conscious musicians should consider Pedaltrain’s excellent value.

Can you use velcro on the Temple Audio Duo 17?

Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. The screw-hole mounting grid makes velcro mounting unnecessarily complicated—you’d be covering holes and reducing the system’s advantage. The Duo 17 is specifically designed for screw-hole mounting. If you prefer velcro, a Pedaltrain board is a better choice. The Duo 17’s value is maximized by using its intended mounting system.

Final Thoughts

The Temple Audio Duo 17 represents genuinely innovative thinking in the pedalboard category. By rejecting velcro as the default solution, Temple Audio created a platform that rewards precision, encourages beautiful aesthetics, and eliminates maintenance headaches. For musicians who’ve thought carefully about their rig and value engineering excellence, this board is genuinely special.