String noise

You are going to have to explain this one further. I understand downward strokes with a pick. I understand down thumbing. How in the world do you finger pluck down???

 

I make the strings rattle on the frets as well. As long as it can't be heard through the amp it's alright. Just don't bother.

 

Excuse me but that is an upstroke when finger plucking. I don't care what any book says.
Finger and string noise to include fret buzz: 1) Playing too hard; 2) Action too low, 3) Sloppy technique, 4) Tone control wide open exacerbates finger noise.

Fret Buzz can be from all of the above plus uneven frets, so you'd need to have a luthier check and level if needed. Also improper neck relief needing a truss rod adjustment.

 

But yeah it is easier to play clean on flats. Mindset; Approach, and Technique means far more than equipment. Leland Sklar is probably the epitome of clean play. The man is damn near perfect.

 

One of the reasons I now only use flats.

Edit: nevermind, I misread the OP.

 

FLATS ARE NOT A CURE FOR BAD TECHNIQUE!!!!! The reality that you are digging in harder on the faster songs and this is the source of your problem. Lighten up your plucking or raise your action.

 

If you need to adjust the "angle of attack" in order to play faster, that sounds to me like a technique issue. The angle at which to hit the strings should stay consistent regardless of the speed of playing.

That said, I tend to be able to play more consistently with hex-core strings when playing faster as their stiffness seems to provide better feedback under my plucking fingers. For example, when I tried the DR Sunbeams (round core, 45-65-85-105) and the DR Nickel Lo-Riders (hex core, 40-60-80-100) back to back last year, I found the Lo-Riders easier to play faster on for their stiffness despite being smaller in gauges.

 

Just use a pick. Adjust your tone. Only the Ox was 'Lord Thunderfingers' all other mortals (except Steve Harris) use a pick for fast work. I do. And yes, it takes work to acquire a good smooth pick technique.

 

Yes, this is why it is bad technique. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Fix one or the other or fix both...

 

The same thing happens to me sometimes but I don't necessarily consider it a bad thing. Many bass players use the string noise as part of their sound but that may not be the sound you're going for. Have you tried playing a bit closer to the bridge so the strings don't vibrate so much?

 

You just have to do short movements using mostly the middle joint of your finger instead of moving the entire finger with the knuckle joint...