diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0133e1c..e3b6b12 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@
 ### onair.mp4
 * placeholder videofile for "On Air"-Message
 
-### userconfig.sh
-* currently not in use
+### config.json
+* the config file in future
 
 ### volumetest.sh
 * testscript for ramping soundcard output volume
diff --git a/config.json b/config.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9cc285b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config.json
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+{
+	"swupgpio": "23",
+	"player": "cvlc",
+	"playerparam": "--play-and-exit --quiet --no-osd -A alsa --alsa-audio-device=front:CARD=Device,DEV=0",
+	"pgrepplayer": "vlc",
+	"buzzer": {
+		"buzzergpio": "0",
+		"buzzertimeout": "2",
+		"pollingtime": "0.05",
+		"strobegpio": "2",
+		"strobeduration": "1",
+		"swdowngpio": "25",
+		"playerloop": "--loop",
+		"volumetimeout": "0.1",
+		"volumedelay": "0.1",
+		"volumemax": "60"
+	},
+	"RandomVideo": {
+		"folder": "/mnt/video"
+	}
+}
diff --git a/userconfig.sh b/userconfig.sh
deleted file mode 100755
index 71ed4a9..0000000
--- a/userconfig.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/sh
-# SPDX-License-Identifier: Unlicense
-
-# generic
-export player="cvlc"		# command to run player
-export playerparam="--play-and-exit --quiet --no-osd -A alsa --alsa-audio-device=front:CARD=Device,DEV=0"	# parameters for player
-export pgrepplayer="vlc"	# expression for pgrep an pkill to detect player process
-export swupgpio=23		# gpio for switchup stat
-
-# buzzer.sh
-export playerloop="--loop"	# parameter for player loop function (leave blank if unused) 
-export buzzgpio=0		# gpio for buzzer
-export buzzertimeout=2		# delay between buzzer presses
-export strobegpio=2		# gpio for strobelight relay
-export strobeduration=1		# duration of switch on stat from strobelight
-export swdowngpio=25		# gpio for switchdown stat
-export pollingtime=0.05		# refresh time of gpio stats
-export volumemax=100		# maximal volume allowed
-export volumetimeout=0.1	# duration between volume up/down steps
-
-# RandomVideo.sh
-export folder="/mnt/video"	# folder with the video files