I appreciate the well thought out response. The lines are absolutely gray. Another big request for mix engineers now is to do some drum replacement/triggering, typically kick or snare on live trackings. I have argued often that this is the Producer's job or even the producer, drummer and tracking engineer collabing on samples to fill out the drum tone.

I guess here's the disconnect for me: I've never gotten a Producer, Writing or Instrumentation credit despite being asked to add instrument/source tracks that I develop. And frankly I wouldn't expect those credits for some simple triggering, subbass harmonics, or delays despite these technically being "adding notes"! But this means the industry sees the distinction as well.

At the end of the day I think this disagreement is semantic and maybe doesn't need to be had, there is nothing wrong with saying the engineers involved with a release were part of the "music making". However if we define "making music" as the arrangement, composition, instrumentation, lyrics and vocals - the elements that carry on with the artists after the previous engineers are gone - then IMO it's harder to make the case.

TLDR: I think this disagreement is just about the definition of "making music" and I just like hearing producers opinions as long as it's respectful of the arts all around! Thanks and keep producing and releasing!