Here's a list of things that would make our recording lives easier.
Larry's List
Pro Tools LE that would run on my laptop without a piece of hardware attached, even if it didn't record, so I could comp and edit!
A mic that really sounds like what I hear in the room when the musicians are playing.
A super simple line mixing console with 48 channels, six aux sends, eight buses, no mic pres, no EQ and a price I could afford. (I'm broke.)
A delay box that listens to the program material and gives you options that fit the beat coming in.
Analog gates that can look ahead!
Console tape that leaves no residue.
Headphones that get louder without distorting.
TRS and TS 1/4" cables that don't fall out of the jacks.
Patchbays that don't mysteriously cut out.
Mic shock mounts that don't turn into a useless pile of metal bits and rubber bands after two years.
An active DI box that doesn't automatically create a ground loop with the bass amp.
A way to have a console in front of me, three sets of speakers above and a computer screen and keyboard handy while still being able to see the artists through the glass. Invisible speakers?
A magic tape deck that could handle every speed, formulation, width and track count of any tape I play on it — and would self calibrate!
Word clocks that don't revert to some random clock rate just to fuck with you.
A computer without a noisy fan in it.
Hard drives that really are quiet.
A full set of Yamaha NS-10 replacement drivers.
Metering on every outboard mic preamp.
A Leslie cabinet that doesn't hum.
Dimmer operating lights on most gear — I get blinded by some of these lamps and LEDs around the studio!
VU meter lights that don't burn out and aren't yellow LEDs.