Michael Rinne Bass

Session Bassist (el. + upright)

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42 Reviews (34 Verified)
Michael Rinne Bass on SoundBetter

Seasoned session bassist who's recording credits include Jack White, Alicia Keys, Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert, Parmalee, Avery Anna, Ronnie Milsap, Rayland Baxter, Tenille Arts, The Nashville Symphony, Rodney Crowell, Andrew Combs, Erin Rae, Chester Thompson, Kelsey Waldon, Caroline Spence, and Tom Hiddleston(yes Loki) and others.

I've been playing and recording in Nashville for 15 years and in that time have honed in my skills to deliver clients what they need; high quality, perfectly executed bass tracks that bring your songs new energy and a solid foundation. As a songwriter myself, I know how labor intensive building a track can be and sometimes the missing piece is a solid, not too "busy" but not too "simple" bass track. Maybe its an edgy rock electric track, or maybe it's the pillowy comfort and nuance that only an upright can provide, whatever the case, I want to provide you with your dream bass track and I won't stop until you are happy. Already have a bass line written and want me to copy it exactly? I'm happy to do that and also include an additional take that's inspired by your bass line but has some liberties taken as well.
My foundations are in Country, Americana, and Rock music but throughout my career I have also worked in classical(Arco) environments as well as played a lot of jazz and pop music. I run pro tools, Apollo x6 interface, and have a variety of outboard gear and plugins. Lot's of vintage basses and great microphones for upright tracks.

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Credits

Discogs verified credits for Michael Rinne
  • Kelsey Waldon
  • Kelsey Waldon
  • Erin Rae And The Meanwhiles
  • Caroline Spence
  • Kelsey Waldon
  • Kristina Murray
  • Monica Rizzio
  • Jack White (2) & Alicia Keys
  • David Arnold
  • Kelsey Waldon
  • Nashville Jazz Orchestra
  • Joey+Rory*
  • Lynn Lewis
  • Chester Thompson Trio
  • Kim Richey
  • Amy Speace
  • Caitlin Rose
  • Cale Tyson
  • Mason Embry Trio
  • Steelism
  • Scott Riggan
  • Steelism
  • Kelsey Waldon
  • Jonah Tolchin
  • Chester Thompson Trio
  • Caroline Spence
  • Joshua Hedley
  • Tim Easton
  • Michaela Anne
  • Kelsey Waldon
  • Korby Lenker
  • Cory Chisel & Adriel Denae
  • Caroline Spence
  • Mane Attraction
  • Down Like Silver
  • Kristina Murray
  • Joshua Hedley
  • Coco O'Connor
  • Rodney Crowell
  • Mary Gauthier
  • Willie Nelson
  • Ryan Culwell
  • Lindi Ortega
  • Ronnie Milsap
  • Max Abrams (3)
  • Fences (2)
  • Andrew Combs
  • Ordinary Elephant
  • Caroline Spence
  • Monica Rizzio
  • Jamie Freeman
  • Sadler Vaden
  • Spencer Cullum's Coin Collection
  • Letitia VanSant
  • The Green Line Travelers
  • Alicia Witt
  • Parmalee
  • Korby Lenker
  • Hayley Jane
  • Dan + Shay
  • Alicia Witt
  • Korby Lenker
  • Ray Fulcher
  • Caroline Spence
  • Bill Scorzari
  • Caroline Spence
  • The Brother Brothers
  • Chris Cheney
  • Mary Gauthier
  • Various
  • Various
  • Steelism
  • Korby Lenker

42 Reviews - 9 Repeat Clients

Endorse Michael Rinne Bass
  1. Review by Matt P.
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    There's a reason that when we think 'bass', we think 'Mike'! His playing, instinct for the song and professionalism are all top notch. Quick turnaround and great communication as always! Thanks again Mike!

  2. Review by Martin G.
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    Great as always! Flexible with changes and communication. :)

  3. Review by Martin G.
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    Superb as always, great communication and delivered exactly what we had in our mind. Very patient! :)

  4. Review by Wyatt S.
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    Hire him. He knows what he is doing, and has great taste and tones. Def coming back!

  5. Review by Avrom G.
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    Mike has great bass chops and delivered a wonderful performance. Highly recommended!

  6. Review by Martin G.
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    Super easy to work with, great communication and amazing tracks as usually! 100% recommended!

  7. Review by Christian P.
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    Michael is my go-to for anything bass related. His playing is amazing, and his tone and recordings are pro. We never have to do anything to his tracks. I highly recommend Michael.

  8. Review by zeak
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    Michael nailed it again with great tone and musicality, can't recommend him enough

  9. Review by zeke cherney
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    Michael Killed it yet Again!!! Can't recommend his tone enough. Really beautiful artistic interpretationof what was looking for. Cant be happier

  10. Review by Mark L.
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    5 stars plus. This last project was an Americana waltz that needed to be warmed up with movement and color in an acoustic bass line. Michael totally got the song and delivered. Great experience all around.

  11. Review by Christian P.
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    I highly recommend Michael for any project work.

  12. Review by Christian P.
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    Michael is the best! 🎸

  13. Review by Chance B.
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    Quick, and easy working with Michael. Knew just what the track needed and provided multiple takes varying in style. Excellent work!

  14. Review by Christian P.
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    I will continue to use Michael for songs. He makes it easy and the tracks are great.

  15. Review by Christian P.
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    Michael is a total pro, it’s always right on!! Highly recommended.

  16. Review by Matt P.
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    Our 2nd song with Michael and once again he smashed it out of the park! Great feel and tone, he knew exactly what the song needed and even provided a 'dirty' bass tone along with the clean which really livens up the track. Wouldn't go to anyone else! Thanks Michael!

  17. Review by Timmy H.
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    Michael delivers fast and quality work! Killer instincts and excellent choice of tone. It’s a joy and honor to collaborate with!

  18. Review by Matt P.
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    Michael is a super-talented bass player who also happens to be a genuine pleasure to work with! He is very creative, has great instincts and feel for the song, which is so important. Equally, his choice of tone was just perfect for our track. Communication and turnaround times were perfect. He's also a top guy, kind and fun to work with. We've found our go-to!

  19. Review by Dustin McKamie
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    Michael is the best. Lots of options. Killer style!

  20. Review by Martin Garcia
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    Amazing smooth and did exactly what I asked for but also contributed with very good improvements on the general groove and bass melody. A pleasure to work with him, easy and fast communication. THanks Michael!

Interview with Michael Rinne Bass

  1. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  2. A: I recently got to play bass on two songs on Dan + Shay's latest record. They are such a huge, successful band and I'm so grateful that I got the chance to work with them.

  3. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  4. A: I love getting to work with different people everyday. It never gets old and always keeps me on my toes.

  5. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  6. A: How quickly would you like this turned around by? Are you thinking upright or electric or would you like to know what I think? Will you be sending me just a two-mix or stems from your session or an entire pro tools session?

  7. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  8. A: Be clear on what you are looking for and if you have any track references or even other artist's that have influenced you that's invaluable information for folks like myself to have. We can hone in on a sound/direction so much more quickly if we have information like "I would love for this song to sound like..."

  9. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  10. A: My old German upright bass, Some sort of water filter to drink fresh water, as many cans of sardines as I could, a small drum, and my cheap nylon string guitar for songwriting.

  11. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  12. A: I started playing recording sessions in 2008 but spent many years on the road. Around 2016 I decided to really hunker down and grow my session roots and it's been an incredible 6 years of working in different studios around Nashville as well as out of my home studio for remote clients.

  13. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  14. A: I would love to work with Fiona Apple. I've always loved her songwriting and her ability to connect her music to her heart and bear it all for your audience. She's fearless and I envy that immensely.

  15. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  16. A: Perspective is everything! Take a mix out to your car and drive around the block. Pull up your streaming platform of your choice and type in something random and unknown to you(Polish Jazz) and listen for a little while. Then play a song you're extremely familiar with. What's one thing you like and dislike about both tracks? what's something happening in your track that you love and what's something happening in you track that maybe you don't love and need to mute for awhile?

  17. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  18. A: I am usually working on songwriter's productions that would fall into the country genre. I also work with a lot of Americana and indie artists.

  19. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  20. A: I'm a very strong communicator and have worked in so many different situations that I feel my strongest skill is my work ethic. I don't take things personally and am here to ultimately see other's musical vision to fruition. I think so many musicians take too much liberty when asked to be a collaborator and one of my strong skills is the ability to know what's needed, and what's not needed. How to be present but also be able to get out of the way. At the end of the day, we are making music and all need to remember to enjoy it!

  21. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  22. A: Having toured with Miranda Lambert, Rodney Crowell, and Emmylou Harris, I'd like to think of myself as a strong "song advocate." What I mean by that is that the music is serving the song and not the other way around. When I've worked in the past with musicians who aren't as in tune with a songwriter's needs/vision, it leads to a musician who's playing for themselves and not for the artist. I have the experience both on stage and in the studio to know what's enough bass, what's too much bass, and what's just right!

  23. Q: What's your typical work process?

  24. A: Listen Listen Liste. Before I do anything, I find it best for me to listen down a couple times. This gives me an idea of what the artist's overall sound is like, the direction of the song, what may be lacking in the bass department of the song, and ultimately lets me know where to start. Once I've picked a signal chain I think will be appropriate fro the song I'll play a chorus or some section and then stop and listen to the track with and without my bass. This usually leads to one or two minor audio adjustments to help the bass fit in the mix better and make sure I'm not recording something out of phase, clipping the gain, etc. This will lead to a few takes until I feel I'm comfortable to share or if I'm recording live with audiomovers, I'll take any and all direction given by the producer/artist. I'm going to have my own opinions on where to take the music but at the end of the day this is your music and my goal is to find out how best I can serve you and you vision and then execute that to the best of my ability.

  25. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  26. A: I run Pro Tools 12 on my Mac mini. I have an Apollo x6 interface, Api Preamps, and a couple different fun compressors including a vintage UREI 1176(rev. F). A lot of the time I"m playing my 1960 fender Bass, but also have a lot of other electrics including Sadowsky and Gibsons. For microphones on upright bass, I like to record the low-end of the instrument with a 67 clone and use a small diaphragm condessor mic for the top end. Blending these two together with my 160 year old German upright creates a big beautiful sound.

  27. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  28. A: I'm very inspired by everything written or produced by Ian Kirkpatrick, Jay Joyce, Jon Brion, T Bone Burnett and others. I love when the songs are at the forefront and the production offers familiarity but also lots of new and confounding soundscapes. I love to dial in my bass tone to reflect the mood and vibe of the track and love music that is intertwined with the meaning and lyrics/melody of a song.

  29. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  30. A: I am typically hired to perform and record bass tracks for Artist's songs whether it's one song or an entire ablum. Typically a writer or producer will reach out to me when they need some low end glue and a bass track that's exciting, not overplayed, and recorded extremely well.

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Miranda Lambert-I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal

I was the Bass Player in this production

Terms Of Service

1-2 days turnaround.

Gear Highlights
  • 1960 Fender Precision Bass
  • Sadowsky basses
  • Fretless
  • Vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard
  • 160year old German Flatback upright
  • 100 year old German upright with low C extension
  • 67
  • Burl
  • UA
  • API pre's
  • vintage 1176
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