You dont always have to have a big production to be well produced. Many bands, even punk bands, that sound raw, have been engineered that way with the help of a producer guiding the engineer. Many "Big" productions are not well engineered or "produced". Take Kylies Album, multi million selling. One would call that a big professional production, with many writers and quite respected producers.... but listen to the actual production of it.... A lot of work has been given to her voice, its good, really good (and im not a fan) however, the music is awful, and by no means of high produced quality. A lot of engineers try to produce, and some are sucessful, especially those who create music and keep in touch with new genres. However, a producer should really be up to date with sounds and have a vast knowlege of music history (in my opinion) For example the vocal techniques used in HipHop vary from others. That tight snappy sound and clever overlayed vocals, thats now almost becoming the norm. A good producer should be able to acknowlege when somethings missing from a track, or has become to complex, or should be able to help out if a chorus is weak, be giving suggestions and possible examples.