Matthew DeRubertis on SoundBetter

I approach the electric bass from two polar opposites - one of finding the perfect part for a given song, and the other destroying the bass role completely and trying different approaches with pedals, effects, sonic textures, and melody.

I pride myself on my versatility of styles in my 13+ years as a performing, touring, and session bassist living in North East Ohio. I have experience playing and writing parts in many different styles including rock, blues, R&B, hip hop, funk, soul, progressive rock, jazz, fusion, latin jazz, timba, experimental, and more.

I have a wide array of pedals that I love to make creative use of. I have many times recorded ambient soundscapes, textures, and looping that step outside of what you'd typically hear from the bass. If you'd like to explore this on your project, let me know!

I take true joy in the process of finding the right part for a given song. This includes all aspects of a bass part - tone, note length, groove, melody, simplicity, or complexity.

Take a visit to my website for my full discography, and please click the CONTACT button to get in touch!

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Credits

25 Reviews - 6 Repeat Clients

Endorse Matthew DeRubertis

by Thomas F.
Verified
Contacted Matthew on Tuesday and I had the bass tracks for my song by Friday night! Very nice guy and easy to work with, he sent on two takes, one which I had given him set instructions for and one where he demonstrated his musical talents and I was super happy with both. Would highly recommend working with Matthew.
by Michael B.
Verified
Matthew did great work on a bass part for me. Very intuitive and easy to communicate with. Would recommend!
by Chris S.
Verified
Another great bass track, easy to work with and would highly recommend!
by Justin K.
Verified
Matthew has contributed bass on a bunch of my songs on fretted, fretless and upright bass. He is a true pleasure to work with -- a total pro who brings great musical ideas, countermelodies, and parts that serve the song. Thanks so much!
by Chris S.
Verified
Great bass track and easy to work with - highly recommend!
by Justin K.
Verified
Matthew came up with a fretless bass part that was creative, groovy melodic and served the song in all the right ways -- he has so many cards he can play. Always a pleasure.
by Justin K.
Verified
Matthew is absolutely great, as always -- he brings to the table a totally professional approach and a wonderfully creative approach to playing melodically and serving the song. Always a pleasure to work with.
by Justin K.
Verified
This is the second time I've worked with Matthew -- he's full of creative musical ideas (both in terms of figuring out parts and finding the right tone/vibe). He's an absolute pro in terms of executing them. Highly recommended.
by felix s.
Verified
Work with him! You won’t be disappointed .
by Justin K.
Verified
Matthew was great to work with! He has great musicianship and communication and brought just the right vibe and tone to serve the song, and did it all ahead of our deadline. A real pleasure all around. Highly recommended.
by felix s.
Verified
best bass player you can find here
by Bo V.
Verified
Matthew really delivers the goods. He quickly caught on to the concepts of the songs and brought his professionalism and creativity to the project. Would 100% recommend his services.
by Drew N.
Verified
Phenomenal bassist! Great tone, feel & communication. Matthew truly works to create the best sounding track possible.
by felix s.
Verified
fast, unique and awesome sound
by Chris K.
Verified
Matthew did an awesome job tracking a bass part along with some very chilling ambience. It was perfect for the song, exactly what I was looking for! I'd definitely work with him again.
by felix s.
Verified
Get the job done. Fast and sounds incredible!
by Joe Kelly Jr.
Verified
Mathew was great to work with. Professional and a great feel!
by Drew N.
Verified
Matthew is always a pleasure to work with. Great Bass player with creative instincts. Also, very solid communication & always is willing to work to serve the song. I will definitely be reaching out to Matt again!
by Adam Reifsnyder
Verified
Every time I work with Matthew it is quick and sounds amazing. He's a great communicator and can find his spot in the groove of any song I throw at him. I highly recommend him!
by Adam Reifsnyder
Verified
Matthew is an incredible played and really elevated the song I was working on. He's great at getting the vibe of a song, finding his place in it, and doing it tastefully and in an interesting way. Looking forward to working with Matthew again soon!

Interview with Matthew DeRubertis

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The album "Home" by my original project Bluelight. I played bass, collaboratively composed and produced the record. I got to really stretch out sonically on that album and get really creative. It was a true joy to work with the guys in the band, as we are were all really united in our creative vision and the project came together in an effortless, synergistic way. The first song in my demo reel is a clip from that record.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Composing a theme song for a friend's podcast, mixing and tracking a guided meditation for my Guided Sound Journey series, recording a song for my next solo album.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Jim Stewart - best audio engineer in North East Ohio. Spencer Martin - Excellent and extremely detail oriented mixing engineer with a unique sonic touch.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I love analog sound but I work in the digital format. It's what I can afford and what is most accessible to me.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: You will get a bass part that serves your song, and something more unique if that is desired!
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Being creative and spontaneous! I also feel a lot of satisfaction when both me and the client are really happy with the track we've worked on.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: I'm often asked - "how do you get those sounds out of your bass?" I like that : )
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I've found a way to clearly present myself and what I do in the last few years, so I'm not really encountering that.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What their vision is for the song they've sent me, both on a sonic and feeling level.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: If you have a clear idea of what you'd like on your song, let me know I'm happy to serve you in that way! If you'd it to be more open open ended, I love that too.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: 1. My Nash P Bass 2. My pedal board. That's one piece of gear, right? haha! 3. My bass amp (so I can get loud if I want to) 4. Audio interface 5. Laptop
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been doing music full time since 2007 - performing, recording, teaching, touring, composing, and now producing.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: In the pocket, laid back, aggressive when needed, diverse, experimental.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Wow, that's a tough question! If I had to pick, playing with D'angelo would be my dream gig. His music inspires me on every level.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Shape your tone and feel to fit the song.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: R&B pop, alternative, singer songwriter
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My simultaneously capability of nailing the typical bass role while also being creative with it.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring an energy and a feel that is going to serve the song first and foremost, while also inserting my unique sound in a subtle or big way! It all depends on the context. I like to embrace my creativity when it comes to writing parts for other clients, while always making sure they are happy with what I am bringing to the table.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I listen to a song a client's song few days before I start working on it with bass in hand. I like to see what ideas come to me when I am just listening. Once the work begins, I shape the tone first, and begin recording. I listen and reflect - and often explore spontaneous ideas that come to me in the moment!
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I run logic pro X, and record through my Scarlett interface. I always use my aguilar tone hammer DI. I use an extensive array of effects pedals to achieve a wide array of conventional and unique sounds. I also model these sounds with various plugins in logic pro. Although I almost always record DI for bass, I will mic my amplifier upon request.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Producers and composers - So many! A few are James Blake, Peachcurls, Loscil, Robert Glasper, Bob Power Musicians - Sade, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, D'angelo. Bassists - Derrick Hodge, Tim Lefevbre, Paul Jackson, Pino Palladino
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Most of my work involves writing a conventional bass part for a client's song, as well as composing layers of chording and ambience.