I played violin for 15 years and continue to do so casually. I've played in a bunch of orchestras and ensembles and I've found that my knowledge of classical music and experience with playing in big multi-instrument ensembles actually helps me layer sounds together/determine when other parts should take over the melody and when the rest of the parts consequently form the harmony. Also I learned some counterpoint and music theory and all that jazz as a result. Granted, the music I'm getting into producing is more of a Hans Zimmer inspired orchestral sort of thing (so my background might not help with other styles), but I would imagine that it could help in something harder, but more melodic as well.