Historically, the progression of effort required to become a producer went like this: Go to college, get an EE degree. Get a job as an assistant at a studio. Eventually become a second engineer. Learn the job and become an engineer. Do that for a few years, then you can try your hand at producing. Now, all that’s required to be a full-fledged “producer” is the gall it takes to claim to be one.
This essay by Albini is from 1993—it’s truly delightful. It doesn’t go into the weeds, but you can feel the expertise and experience on the page. RIP.