My list is all about usability. I have no sonic requests or complaints, and frankly - it's still shocking to me that they continue to discover additional improvements in the modeling with each FW.
So here's my list...
Bluetooth & WiFi. I am really loving this functionality on my Nano Cortex - everything is easier. And beyond having easier connectivity, it also makes for a better/safer pedalboard experience. You wouldn't need to worry leaving a clearance for USB cables, dongles, adaptors, etc. And as much as I rely on that little 3 inch Yamaha bluetooth MIDI adaptor, it is an accident waiting to happen. It's a miracle I haven't busted my MIDI jacks using that dongle. And I hate having to drag my FM9 over to my desk to make certain changes.
On-Board "AFX/FM-Edit" Software: I'm talking about having the full desktop software running on the unit itself. Preferably with a big old touch screen. This likely means adding a whole mini computer inside the unit. So it wouldn't be cheap, but so what? It means I don't have to worry about having a laptop with, or leaving it backstage where it could damaged or forgotten on stage, or swiped from the greenroom.
Either way, usability needs to be more of a priority. Not only does this complexity scare off potential new users. But it's also going to be more tempting for existing user to migrate to other devices as the competitions starts to catch up sonically.
iOS/Android "AFX/FM-Edit" Software: There are arguments for NOT installing a secondary computer and running the edit software right on the unit. But if that's the case, then I really feel Fractal should have their own FM9-EDIT software for iOA/Android. Don't get me wrong, Al's FracPad has been a lifesaver. But there will always an air of uncertainty for any app that is maintained by an independent 3rd party developer. Fractal should have a stake in their own UI.
But again, FracPad has been a lifesaver on a few occasions. So I will always be glad I spent the money to buy the license.
But it's still not FM9-EDIT. It'd be a lot cooler if I only had to know one software.
Block Channel Modifiers: I wish that the modifiers were independent within a block's channels (ie - expression pedal vs envelope follower vs pitch follower,etc). I use two wah blocks, one with an expression pedal, and the other is more an autowah using the envelope follower. It'd be a lot better for me, if channel A was expression, and B was envelope. I do similar thing with my delays, one block is for tap tempo, and other controls delay time via expression. See also, tremolo, chorus/vibrato, ad technically anything that involes a variable time adjustment somewhere.
Second Pitch Block: I have a new singer that sometimes wants to change keys for a song. So I've become a big fan of the virtual capo, but that means I can have to sacrifice some harmonies in certain songs, or whammy on others. I picked up the Boss XS-1m which does a great job as my new VC, but I wish I didn't need to carry anything other than my FM9.
NAM Capture & Capture Ability: This is mostly to silence the haters who like to us we're "missing out", hahaha. But it would be cool to have access to some oddbal sounds that would likely never be properly modeled by FAS. WHy wouldn't they be modeled? Well, because alot of the ones I'm thinking were crappy DIY drive or fuzz circuits that I made. I don't love any of these enough to carry the pedal, but it'd be cool if I could call on those sounds once in a while.
Class-Compliant USB/MIDI: I don't even know what this is, but I've heard other folks talk about limitations relating to connectivity ("it's not class compliant or yadda yadda yadda"). So whatever this means, it should be be imrproved.
Sample Rate: It's also be nice to be able to select alternate sample rates. At least to allow for 44.1kHz, a some iOS video apps are locked at 44.1 for some reason and can't be changed. This results in crackles and pops in the audio stream, that could otherwise be useful to produce high quality videos.
And while we might not hear the difference in higher sample rates, they do make a huge difference if you recordings utilize a lot of time-stretching and pitch manipulation. I'm not sure latency matters in a re-amping scenario. I'd be more concerned with CPU power, that would likely make most presets (if not all) to exceed the 80% margin. But again, if 44.1 were possible, that'd help avoid the need for workarounds on some of those apps.
