I am an absolutely beginner with bass guitar. I’m having the same problems with plucking that all of us have. Different tones/volume between index and middle finger. I know this will improve with time, but my question is this: as my fingers toughen and maybe grow some calluses will the tone get better and have more equal tone and volume, or is this strictly about plucking correctly with the meaty part of the fingers?
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No, and you most likely won’t see calluses, at least not like guitar playing ones. I know it is hard, but the bulk of info out there is based (no pun intended) on guitar, not bass, and so things cross over wtihout merit. That said, again, no.
This is simple technique, and simple technique takes loads of time, no shortcut. Even playing comes without you knowing it, and the next thing you know, its a bit better, etc. etc.
Learning an instrument is a lifelong journey, with the possible exception of a kazoo.
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As above, it’s just practice. In you’re signed up to B2B, one of the songs Josh talks you through is U2’s With or Without You. As with much of Adam Clayton’s works, it’s a masterclass in sustained, even chugging.
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My plugging fingers is as soft as baby’s cheek. 
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I never developed any callouses from bass - it’s simply not in the same league as guitar there. It’s like comparing stubbing your toe to stepping on a land mine.
With guitar, I developed calluses on my left hand. With bass, it’s on my right. Didn’t expect that but should have!
If I slapped I would have right hand callouses from popping, I bet. That is a bit rough.
First: Welcome to the BassBuzz club! Where we are all brothers in bass (compared to Reddit, we are much friendlier).
I play serious for 2 years now (and before I fiddled with a lot of cheap basses) and I never grew calluses. Your fingers will eventually adapt to playing the bass. IMO there isn’t any trick or advice to follow except to enjoy the journey of becoming a bass player.
Since I also have tourettes, I learned myself a new ‘tic‘ to practice my plucking fingers on the tip of my thumb. Serves a double purpose 
Same, I don’t have any calluses on my right hand and the ones I’ve got on the left are recent and from playing chords on guitar. They’re only on the fingertips (not the pads… i.e. not from playing bass).
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