ASR - Founder's Edition

The Founder's Edition ASR is now available. Shipping within 1–3 business days.

The ASR is the world's first smart shoulder rest for violin and viola. At its core is a voice-coil haptic actuator that transmits real acoustic frequencies directly into your instrument — so you don't just hear your metronome, drone, and tuner, you feel them in the violin itself. Rhythm and pitch become tactile. That's what makes the ASR different from anything else you've practiced with.

It connects to the free ASR Studio App (iOS) via Bluetooth, putting a suite of precision practice tools in one device that lives on your instrument. And because the tools live in software, they'll keep growing through app updates.

About the Founder's Edition

This is the first run of the ASR: 50 hand-assembled units, each individually numbered on an engraved serial plate. Founder's Edition owners get direct access to the Matter Squared development team and a priority channel for feature requests and early feedback. Our goal is to make these tools deeply customizable, so you can dial in the precise sound and feel that fits your practice, teaching, or studio. As an early owner, your experience directly shapes where the ASR goes next.

Each unit ships with a specially hand-sewn, double-stitched carrying bag, in an eco-friendly box.

Please note: the production ASR is dark grey/off-black, not the lighter grey shown in our earlier prototype videos.

What's included

• ASR shoulder rest with USB-C charging cable
• Hand-sewn carrying bag
• Pair of M4 grippers

Specifications

• Color: dark grey/off-black
• Weight: 170g including grippers
• Fits: 3/4 and 4/4 violins and student violas. Grippers adjust between 16.75mm and 20mm - if buying for a viola, please verify this spacing works for your instrument first.
• Battery: rechargeable lithium polymer (LiPo), UN 38.3 certified. A full day of practice on one charge; recharges in about two hours.
• Connectivity: Bluetooth (A2DP, BLE)
• Firmware: updatable via USB-C
• Requires iOS 16 or later (Android planned for a future release)

ASR Studio App — free, no subscription

• Haptic metronome with adjustable tempo, subdivision, and speaker/actuator blend
• Intonation drone with adjustable overtones, octave, and fifth
• Posture monitoring with haptic feedback
• Instrument conditioning mode (sympathetic resonator)
• Concert pitch adjustable from 430-450 Hz, recalibrating all tools

Warranty

Every ASR is covered by a 12-month limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. (This doesn't cover drops, misuse, unauthorized modifications, or normal wear.)

Shipping & Returns

One per customer. Ships from the US to: United States, Canada, Mexico, the European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Japan, South Korea, and select countries in Latin America (Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Peru). Domestic shipping via USPS Priority Mail; international via DHL, with prepaid duties available at checkout. All deliveries require signature on delivery.

Because each ASR is hand-assembled and contains a lithium polymer battery, returns are accepted on unopened items in original condition within 15 days of delivery. For change-of-mind returns, return shipping is the buyer's responsibility. If an item arrives defective or damaged, we'll cover return shipping and make it right with a replacement or refund.

Not sure if the ASR is right for you? Just reach out before ordering. We're glad to help.