feat: add audio effects (pitch and speed control)

- Added new audio_effects.py module with pitch shift and speed change
- Pitch range: -12 to +12 semitones (higher = chipmunk, lower = deeper)
- Speed range: 0.5 to 2.0x (higher = faster, lower = slower)
- Maximum 2 active effects per user (performance optimization)
- Added /effects command group:
  - /effects list - Shows current effects with descriptions
  - /effects set pitch|speed <value> - Apply effects
  - /effects reset - Confirmation UI to clear all effects
- Effects persist across restarts in preferences.json
- Updated /voice preview to support optional pitch/speed parameters
- Effects applied in _generate_wav_bytes using librosa
- Added performance warnings when processing takes >1 second
- Updated README with effects documentation

README.md

@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ A Discord bot that reads messages aloud using [Pocket TTS](https://github.com/ky
 - 🔄 **Hot-reload Voices**: Add new voices without restarting the bot using `/voice refresh`
 - 🧪 **Test Mode**: Separate testing configuration for safe development
 - 📦 **Auto-updates**: Automatically checks for and installs dependency updates on startup
+- 👂 **Voice Preview**: Preview voices with `/voice preview` before committing to them
+- 🎵 **Audio Effects**: Apply pitch shift and speed changes to your TTS voice
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
@@ -126,6 +128,28 @@ This loads `.env.testing` instead of `.env`, allowing you to:
 
 Create `.env.testing` by copying `.env.example` and configuring it with your testing values.
 
+### Audio Effects
+
+Apply pitch shift and speed changes to your TTS voice:
+
+- `/effects list` - Show your current effect settings
+- `/effects set pitch <semitones>` - Change pitch (-12 to +12)
+  - Positive = higher/chipmunk voice
+  - Negative = lower/deeper voice
+  - 0 = normal pitch (default)
+- `/effects set speed <multiplier>` - Change speed (0.5 to 2.0)
+  - Higher = faster speech
+  - Lower = slower speech
+  - 1.0 = normal speed (default)
+- `/effects reset` - Reset all effects to defaults
+
+**Note**: You can use up to 2 effects simultaneously. More effects require more processing time.
+
+### Preview with Effects
+
+Test voice and effect combinations before committing:
+- `/voice preview <name> [pitch] [speed]` - Preview a voice with optional effect overrides
+
 ## How It Works
 
 ```

audio_effects.py

@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+"""Audio effects processing for TTS output."""
+
+import time
+from typing import Any
+
+import librosa
+import numpy as np
+
+
+class AudioEffects:
+    """Apply post-processing effects to TTS audio."""
+
+    MAX_ACTIVE_EFFECTS = 2
+
+    # Effect ranges
+    PITCH_MIN = -12
+    PITCH_MAX = 12
+    PITCH_DEFAULT = 0
+
+    SPEED_MIN = 0.5
+    SPEED_MAX = 2.0
+    SPEED_DEFAULT = 1.0
+
+    @classmethod
+    def apply_effects(
+        cls,
+        audio: np.ndarray,
+        sr: int,
+        pitch: int = PITCH_DEFAULT,
+        speed: float = SPEED_DEFAULT,
+    ) -> tuple[np.ndarray, bool]:
+        """
+        Apply effects to audio.
+
+        Args:
+            audio: Input audio array
+            sr: Sample rate
+            pitch: Pitch shift in semitones (-12 to +12, 0 = no shift)
+            speed: Speed multiplier (0.5 to 2.0, 1.0 = normal)
+
+        Returns:
+            Tuple of (processed_audio, show_processing_message)
+            show_processing_message is True if processing took > 1 second
+        """
+        start_time = time.time()
+        original_length = len(audio)
+
+        # Validate inputs
+        pitch = max(cls.PITCH_MIN, min(cls.PITCH_MAX, pitch))
+        speed = max(cls.SPEED_MIN, min(cls.SPEED_MAX, speed))
+
+        print(f"Applying effects - Pitch: {pitch:+d}, Speed: {speed:.1f}x")
+
+        # Apply pitch shift first (if not default)
+        if pitch != cls.PITCH_DEFAULT:
+            print(f"  Applying pitch shift: {pitch:+d} semitones...")
+            audio = librosa.effects.pitch_shift(
+                audio, sr=sr, n_steps=pitch, bins_per_octave=12
+            )
+
+        # Apply speed change second (if not default)
+        if speed != cls.SPEED_DEFAULT:
+            print(f"  Applying speed change: {speed:.1f}x...")
+            audio = librosa.effects.time_stretch(audio, rate=speed)
+
+            # Stretching changes length, so we need to resample to maintain duration
+            # Actually, for TTS we want the new speed, so we don't resample back
+            # The audio will be shorter or longer based on speed
+
+        processing_time = time.time() - start_time
+        print(f"  Effects applied in {processing_time:.2f}s")
+
+        # Show processing message if it took more than 1 second
+        show_message = processing_time > 1.0
+
+        return audio, show_message
+
+    @classmethod
+    def validate_effect(cls, effect_name: str, value: Any) -> tuple[bool, str]:
+        """
+        Validate an effect value.
+
+        Returns:
+            Tuple of (is_valid, error_message)
+        """
+        if effect_name == "pitch":
+            try:
+                pitch = int(value)
+                if cls.PITCH_MIN <= pitch <= cls.PITCH_MAX:
+                    return True, ""
+                return (
+                    False,
+                    f"Pitch must be between {cls.PITCH_MIN} and {cls.PITCH_MAX} semitones",
+                )
+            except (ValueError, TypeError):
+                return False, "Pitch must be a whole number"
+
+        elif effect_name == "speed":
+            try:
+                speed = float(value)
+                if cls.SPEED_MIN <= speed <= cls.SPEED_MAX:
+                    return True, ""
+                return (
+                    False,
+                    f"Speed must be between {cls.SPEED_MIN} and {cls.SPEED_MAX}",
+                )
+            except (ValueError, TypeError):
+                return False, "Speed must be a number"
+
+        return False, f"Unknown effect: {effect_name}"
+
+    @classmethod
+    def count_active_effects(cls, pitch: int, speed: float) -> int:
+        """Count how many effects are active (non-default)."""
+        count = 0
+        if pitch != cls.PITCH_DEFAULT:
+            count += 1
+        if speed != cls.SPEED_DEFAULT:
+            count += 1
+        return count
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_effect_description(cls, effect_name: str) -> str:
+        """Get a human-readable description of what an effect does."""
+        descriptions = {
+            "pitch": f"Changes voice pitch ({cls.PITCH_MIN} to {cls.PITCH_MAX} semitones). Positive = higher/chipmunk, Negative = lower/deeper.",
+            "speed": f"Changes speech speed ({cls.SPEED_MIN} to {cls.SPEED_MAX}x). Higher = faster, Lower = slower.",
+        }
+        return descriptions.get(effect_name, "Unknown effect")
+
+    @classmethod
+    def format_effect_value(cls, effect_name: str, value: Any) -> str:
+        """Format an effect value for display."""
+        if effect_name == "pitch":
+            pitch = int(value)
+            if pitch == 0:
+                return "0 (normal)"
+            direction = "higher" if pitch > 0 else "lower"
+            return f"{pitch:+d} ({direction})"
+        elif effect_name == "speed":
+            speed = float(value)
+            if speed == 1.0:
+                return "1.0x (normal)"
+            direction = "faster" if speed > 1.0 else "slower"
+            return f"{speed:.1f}x ({direction})"
+        return str(value)

bot.py

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import scipy.io.wavfile as wavfile
 from discord import app_commands
 from discord.ext import commands
 
+from audio_effects import AudioEffects
 from config import Config
 from voice_manager import VoiceManager
 
@@ -58,6 +59,7 @@ class TTSBot(commands.Bot):
         self.last_activity: float = 0.0
 
         self._setup_slash_commands()
+        self._setup_effects_commands()
 
     def _setup_slash_commands(self) -> None:
         """Set up slash commands for voice management."""
@@ -65,7 +67,9 @@ class TTSBot(commands.Bot):
         @self.tree.command(name="voice", description="Manage your TTS voice")
         @app_commands.describe(
             action="What to do",
-            voice_name="Name of the voice (for 'set' action)"
+            voice_name="Name of the voice (for 'set' or 'preview' action)",
+            preview_pitch="Optional pitch for preview (-12 to 12, default: use your settings)",
+            preview_speed="Optional speed for preview (0.5 to 2.0, default: use your settings)",
         )
         @app_commands.choices(action=[
             app_commands.Choice(name="list", value="list"),
@@ -77,7 +81,9 @@ class TTSBot(commands.Bot):
         async def voice_command(
             interaction: discord.Interaction,
             action: app_commands.Choice[str],
-            voice_name: str | None = None
+            voice_name: str | None = None,
+            preview_pitch: int | None = None,
+            preview_speed: float | None = None,
         ):
             if action.value == "list":
                 await self._handle_voice_list(interaction)
@@ -88,7 +94,7 @@ class TTSBot(commands.Bot):
             elif action.value == "refresh":
                 await self._handle_voice_refresh(interaction)
             elif action.value == "preview":
-                await self._handle_voice_preview(interaction, voice_name)
+                await self._handle_voice_preview(interaction, voice_name, preview_pitch, preview_speed)
         
         @voice_command.autocomplete("voice_name")
         async def voice_name_autocomplete(
@@ -102,6 +108,161 @@ class TTSBot(commands.Bot):
                 if current.lower() in v.lower()
             ][:25]
 
+    def _setup_effects_commands(self) -> None:
+        """Set up slash commands for audio effects management."""
+
+        @self.tree.command(name="effects", description="Manage your TTS audio effects")
+        @app_commands.describe(
+            action="What to do",
+            effect_name="Name of the effect (for 'set' action)",
+            value="Value for the effect (for 'set' action)"
+        )
+        @app_commands.choices(action=[
+            app_commands.Choice(name="list", value="list"),
+            app_commands.Choice(name="set", value="set"),
+            app_commands.Choice(name="reset", value="reset"),
+        ])
+        @app_commands.choices(effect_name=[
+            app_commands.Choice(name="pitch", value="pitch"),
+            app_commands.Choice(name="speed", value="speed"),
+        ])
+        async def effects_command(
+            interaction: discord.Interaction,
+            action: app_commands.Choice[str],
+            effect_name: app_commands.Choice[str] | None = None,
+            value: str | None = None
+        ):
+            if action.value == "list":
+                await self._handle_effects_list(interaction)
+            elif action.value == "set":
+                await self._handle_effects_set(interaction, effect_name, value)
+            elif action.value == "reset":
+                await self._handle_effects_reset(interaction)
+
+    async def _handle_effects_list(self, interaction: discord.Interaction) -> None:
+        """Handle /effects list command."""
+        effects = self.voice_manager.get_user_effects(interaction.user.id)
+        active_count = self.voice_manager.count_active_effects(interaction.user.id)
+
+        lines = ["**Your Audio Effects:**\n"]
+
+        # Pitch
+        pitch_desc = AudioEffects.get_effect_description("pitch")
+        pitch_val = AudioEffects.format_effect_value("pitch", effects["pitch"])
+        lines.append(f"🎵 **Pitch**: {pitch_val}")
+        lines.append(f"   {pitch_desc}\n")
+
+        # Speed
+        speed_desc = AudioEffects.get_effect_description("speed")
+        speed_val = AudioEffects.format_effect_value("speed", effects["speed"])
+        lines.append(f"⚡ **Speed**: {speed_val}")
+        lines.append(f"   {speed_desc}\n")
+
+        # Active count warning
+        lines.append(f"**Active Effects**: {active_count}/{AudioEffects.MAX_ACTIVE_EFFECTS}")
+        if active_count >= AudioEffects.MAX_ACTIVE_EFFECTS:
+            lines.append("⚠️ Max effects reached. More effects = slower processing time.")
+        elif active_count > 0:
+            lines.append(f"ℹ️ You can add {AudioEffects.MAX_ACTIVE_EFFECTS - active_count} more effect(s).")
+
+        lines.append(f"\n*Use `/effects set <effect> <value>` to change settings*")
+        lines.append(f"*Use `/effects reset` to clear all effects*")
+
+        await interaction.response.send_message(
+            "\n".join(lines),
+            ephemeral=True
+        )
+
+    async def _handle_effects_set(
+        self,
+        interaction: discord.Interaction,
+        effect_name: app_commands.Choice[str] | None,
+        value: str | None
+    ) -> None:
+        """Handle /effects set command."""
+        if not effect_name or value is None:
+            await interaction.response.send_message(
+                "❌ Please provide both effect name and value. Example: `/effects set pitch 3`",
+                ephemeral=True
+            )
+            return
+
+        success, message = self.voice_manager.set_user_effect(
+            interaction.user.id,
+            effect_name.value,
+            value
+        )
+
+        if success:
+            await interaction.response.send_message(
+                f"✅ {message}",
+                ephemeral=True
+            )
+        else:
+            await interaction.response.send_message(
+                f"❌ {message}",
+                ephemeral=True
+            )
+
+    async def _handle_effects_reset(self, interaction: discord.Interaction) -> None:
+        """Handle /effects reset command with confirmation UI."""
+        # Check if user has any effects to reset
+        active_count = self.voice_manager.count_active_effects(interaction.user.id)
+
+        if active_count == 0:
+            await interaction.response.send_message(
+                "ℹ️ You don't have any active effects to reset.",
+                ephemeral=True
+            )
+            return
+
+        # Create confirmation buttons
+        class ConfirmResetView(discord.ui.View):
+            def __init__(self, voice_manager, user_id):
+                super().__init__(timeout=30)
+                self.voice_manager = voice_manager
+                self.user_id = user_id
+                self.confirmed = False
+
+            @discord.ui.button(label="✅ Yes, Reset All", style=discord.ButtonStyle.danger)
+            async def confirm_button(self, interaction: discord.Interaction, button: discord.ui.Button):
+                if interaction.user.id != self.user_id:
+                    await interaction.response.send_message("This button is not for you!", ephemeral=True)
+                    return
+
+                self.voice_manager.reset_user_effects(self.user_id)
+                self.confirmed = True
+                await interaction.response.edit_message(
+                    content="✅ All audio effects have been reset to defaults!",
+                    view=None
+                )
+                self.stop()
+
+            @discord.ui.button(label="❌ Cancel", style=discord.ButtonStyle.secondary)
+            async def cancel_button(self, interaction: discord.Interaction, button: discord.ui.Button):
+                if interaction.user.id != self.user_id:
+                    await interaction.response.send_message("This button is not for you!", ephemeral=True)
+                    return
+
+                await interaction.response.edit_message(
+                    content="❌ Reset cancelled. Your effects remain unchanged.",
+                    view=None
+                )
+                self.stop()
+
+        view = ConfirmResetView(self.voice_manager, interaction.user.id)
+
+        await interaction.response.send_message(
+            f"⚠️ **Reset Confirmation**\n\n"
+            f"You have {active_count} active effect(s).\n"
+            f"This will reset **all** your audio effects to defaults:\n"
+            f"• Pitch: 0 (normal)\n"
+            f"• Speed: 1.0x (normal)\n\n"
+            f"Are you sure you want to continue?",
+            view=view,
+            ephemeral=True
+        )
+
     async def _handle_voice_list(self, interaction: discord.Interaction) -> None:
         """Handle /voice list command."""
         voices = self.voice_manager.get_available_voices()
@@ -222,7 +383,13 @@ class TTSBot(commands.Bot):
             ephemeral=True
         )
 
-    async def _handle_voice_preview(self, interaction: discord.Interaction, voice_name: str | None) -> None:
+    async def _handle_voice_preview(
+        self,
+        interaction: discord.Interaction,
+        voice_name: str | None,
+        preview_pitch: int | None = None,
+        preview_speed: float | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
         """Handle /voice preview command."""
         if not voice_name:
             await interaction.response.send_message(
@@ -251,6 +418,26 @@ class TTSBot(commands.Bot):
             )
             return
 
+        # Validate pitch if provided
+        if preview_pitch is not None:
+            is_valid, error_msg = AudioEffects.validate_effect("pitch", preview_pitch)
+            if not is_valid:
+                await interaction.response.send_message(
+                    f"❌ Invalid pitch value: {error_msg}",
+                    ephemeral=True
+                )
+                return
+
+        # Validate speed if provided
+        if preview_speed is not None:
+            is_valid, error_msg = AudioEffects.validate_effect("speed", preview_speed)
+            if not is_valid:
+                await interaction.response.send_message(
+                    f"❌ Invalid speed value: {error_msg}",
+                    ephemeral=True
+                )
+                return
+
         # Select a random preview line
         preview_text = random.choice(PREVIEW_LINES)
 
@@ -274,11 +461,25 @@ class TTSBot(commands.Bot):
             interaction.user.voice.channel
         )
 
-        # Queue the preview with voice override
+        # Use user's current effects if not overridden
-        await self.message_queue.put((preview_message, preview_text, voice_name))
+        user_effects = self.voice_manager.get_user_effects(interaction.user.id)
+        final_pitch = preview_pitch if preview_pitch is not None else user_effects["pitch"]
+        final_speed = preview_speed if preview_speed is not None else user_effects["speed"]
+
+        # Queue the preview with voice override and effects
+        await self.message_queue.put((preview_message, preview_text, voice_name, final_pitch, final_speed))
+
+        # Build effect description
+        effect_desc = []
+        if final_pitch != 0:
+            effect_desc.append(f"pitch: {final_pitch:+d}")
+        if final_speed != 1.0:
+            effect_desc.append(f"speed: {final_speed:.1f}x")
+
+        effect_str = f" (with {', '.join(effect_desc)})" if effect_desc else ""
 
         await interaction.response.send_message(
-            f"⏳ Queued preview for `{voice_name}`. Sample: \"{preview_text[:50]}{'...' if len(preview_text) > 50 else ''}\"",
+            f"⏳ Queued preview for `{voice_name}`{effect_str}. Sample: \"{preview_text[:50]}{'...' if len(preview_text) > 50 else ''}\"",
             ephemeral=True
         )
 
@@ -336,21 +537,37 @@ class TTSBot(commands.Bot):
         while True:
             queue_item = await self.message_queue.get()
 
-            # Handle both regular messages (message, text) and previews (message, text, voice_name)
+            # Handle queue items of different lengths:
-            if len(queue_item) == 3:
+            # - (message, text) - regular message
+            # - (message, text, voice_name) - preview with voice override
+            # - (message, text, voice_name, pitch, speed) - preview with effects
+            if len(queue_item) == 5:
+                message, text, voice_override, pitch, speed = queue_item
+            elif len(queue_item) == 3:
                 message, text, voice_override = queue_item
+                pitch = None
+                speed = None
             else:
                 message, text = queue_item
                 voice_override = None
+                pitch = None
+                speed = None
 
             try:
-                await self.speak_message(message, text, voice_override)
+                await self.speak_message(message, text, voice_override, pitch, speed)
             except Exception as e:
                 print(f"Error processing message: {e}")
             finally:
                 self.message_queue.task_done()
 
-    async def speak_message(self, message: discord.Message, text: str, voice_override: str | None = None) -> None:
+    async def speak_message(
+        self,
+        message: discord.Message,
+        text: str,
+        voice_override: str | None = None,
+        pitch: int | None = None,
+        speed: float | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
         """Generate TTS and play it in the user's voice channel."""
         if message.author.voice is None:
             return
@@ -383,8 +600,16 @@ class TTSBot(commands.Bot):
                 )
             return
 
+        # Get user's effects if not overridden
+        if pitch is None or speed is None:
+            user_effects = self.voice_manager.get_user_effects(message.author.id)
+            if pitch is None:
+                pitch = user_effects["pitch"]
+            if speed is None:
+                speed = user_effects["speed"]
+
         wav_bytes = await asyncio.to_thread(
-            self._generate_wav_bytes, voice_state, text
+            self._generate_wav_bytes, voice_state, text, pitch, speed
         )
 
         audio_source = discord.FFmpegPCMAudio(
@@ -409,7 +634,13 @@ class TTSBot(commands.Bot):
 
         await play_complete.wait()
 
-    def _generate_wav_bytes(self, voice_state: Any, text: str) -> bytes:
+    def _generate_wav_bytes(
+        self,
+        voice_state: Any,
+        text: str,
+        pitch: int = 0,
+        speed: float = 1.0,
+    ) -> bytes:
         """Generate audio and return as WAV file bytes."""
         model = self.voice_manager.model
         if model is None:
@@ -421,6 +652,15 @@ class TTSBot(commands.Bot):
         if audio_np.ndim == 1:
             audio_np = audio_np.reshape(-1, 1)
 
+        # Apply audio effects if any are active
+        if pitch != 0 or speed != 1.0:
+            print(f"Applying effects - Pitch: {pitch:+d}, Speed: {speed:.1f}x")
+            audio_np, show_processing = AudioEffects.apply_effects(
+                audio_np, model.sample_rate, pitch, speed
+            )
+            if show_processing:
+                print("⚠️ Audio processing took longer than expected due to effects")
+
         max_val = np.max(np.abs(audio_np))
         if max_val > 0:
             audio_np = audio_np / max_val

voice_manager.py

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from typing import Any
 
 from pocket_tts import TTSModel
 
+from audio_effects import AudioEffects
 from audio_preprocessor import (
     AudioPreprocessor,
     PreprocessingConfig,
@@ -26,6 +27,8 @@ class VoiceManager:
         self._voice_states: dict[str, Any] = {}
         # Per-user voice preferences: user_id -> voice_name
         self._user_voices: dict[int, str] = {}
+        # Per-user audio effects: user_id -> {"pitch": int, "speed": float}
+        self._user_effects: dict[int, dict[str, Any]] = {}
         # Available voices: voice_name -> file_path
         self._available_voices: dict[str, Path] = {}
 
@@ -181,10 +184,95 @@ class VoiceManager:
             self.preferences_file.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
             data = {
-                "user_voices": {str(k): v for k, v in self._user_voices.items()}
+                "user_voices": {str(k): v for k, v in self._user_voices.items()},
+                "user_effects": {str(k): v for k, v in self._user_effects.items()},
             }
 
             with open(self.preferences_file, "w") as f:
                 json.dump(data, f, indent=2)
         except Exception as e:
             print(f"Warning: Failed to save preferences: {e}")
+
+    # Effects management methods
+
+    def get_user_effects(self, user_id: int) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Get the audio effects for a user. Returns defaults if not set."""
+        effects = self._user_effects.get(user_id, {})
+        return {
+            "pitch": effects.get("pitch", AudioEffects.PITCH_DEFAULT),
+            "speed": effects.get("speed", AudioEffects.SPEED_DEFAULT),
+        }
+
+    def set_user_effect(self, user_id: int, effect_name: str, value: Any) -> tuple[bool, str]:
+        """
+        Set an audio effect for a user.
+
+        Returns:
+            Tuple of (success, message)
+        """
+        # Validate the effect
+        is_valid, error_msg = AudioEffects.validate_effect(effect_name, value)
+        if not is_valid:
+            return False, error_msg
+
+        # Get current effects
+        if user_id not in self._user_effects:
+            self._user_effects[user_id] = {}
+
+        # Check if this would exceed max effects
+        current_effects = self._user_effects[user_id].copy()
+        if effect_name == "pitch":
+            current_effects["pitch"] = int(value)
+        elif effect_name == "speed":
+            current_effects["speed"] = float(value)
+
+        active_count = AudioEffects.count_active_effects(
+            current_effects.get("pitch", AudioEffects.PITCH_DEFAULT),
+            current_effects.get("speed", AudioEffects.SPEED_DEFAULT),
+        )
+
+        # Save the effect
+        self._user_effects[user_id][effect_name] = value
+        self._save_preferences()
+
+        if active_count >= AudioEffects.MAX_ACTIVE_EFFECTS:
+            return True, f"Effect applied! ⚠️ You now have {active_count} active effects (max {AudioEffects.MAX_ACTIVE_EFFECTS}). More effects = slower processing."
+        else:
+            return True, "Effect applied successfully!"
+
+    def reset_user_effects(self, user_id: int) -> None:
+        """Reset all audio effects to defaults for a user."""
+        if user_id in self._user_effects:
+            del self._user_effects[user_id]
+            self._save_preferences()
+
+    def count_active_effects(self, user_id: int) -> int:
+        """Count how many effects are active for a user."""
+        effects = self.get_user_effects(user_id)
+        return AudioEffects.count_active_effects(effects["pitch"], effects["speed"])
+
+    def _load_preferences(self) -> None:
+        """Load user voice preferences from JSON file."""
+        if not self.preferences_file.exists():
+            return
+
+        try:
+            with open(self.preferences_file, "r") as f:
+                data = json.load(f)
+
+            # Load user preferences (convert string keys back to int)
+            for user_id_str, voice_name in data.get("user_voices", {}).items():
+                user_id = int(user_id_str)
+                # Only load if voice still exists
+                if voice_name.lower() in self._available_voices:
+                    self._user_voices[user_id] = voice_name.lower()
+
+            # Load user effects (convert string keys back to int)
+            for user_id_str, effects in data.get("user_effects", {}).items():
+                user_id = int(user_id_str)
+                self._user_effects[user_id] = effects
+
+            print(f"  Loaded {len(self._user_voices)} user voice preferences")
+            print(f"  Loaded {len(self._user_effects)} user effect preferences")
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"  Warning: Failed to load preferences: {e}")