
The audio automatically plays on Anki cards without user interaction, improving the learning experience. This feature is particularly useful for pronunciation learning, listening drills, and language acquisition. It allows learners to hear the correct pronunciation of a word or phrase repeatedly, without having to press any buttons or pause and rewind the audio, which streamlines the learning process.
To activate this feature, go to the Anki settings and click on the “Options” tab. Under the “Media” section, check the box next to “Automatic Play Audio.” You can also choose to enable automatic play in only certain deck types or for specific cards. Additionally, you can adjust the delay before the audio starts playing, and the volume level, which provides flexibility for customizing the learning experience to individual preferences.
Overall, automatically playing audio on Anki cards offers several advantages. It saves time, enhances pronunciation, and frees up cognitive resources for other aspects of learning. Whether you’re a student, language learner, or educator, this feature can significantly improve the effectiveness and enjoyment of using Anki for knowledge acquisition and language development.

AnkiDroid Audio Plugin
The AnkiDroid Audio Plugin is an add-on for the AnkiDroid flashcard app that automatically plays audio files associated with cards when they are viewed. This plugin can be particularly useful for language learners who want to improve their pronunciation, listening comprehension, and vocabulary.
To use the AnkiDroid Audio Plugin, you will need to first install it from the Google Play Store. Once installed, you can enable the plugin in AnkiDroid’s settings. You will then need to add audio files to your cards. You can do this by either manually adding them to the card’s media field or by using a third-party tool to automatically download audio files from the internet.
Once you have added audio files to your cards, the AnkiDroid Audio Plugin will automatically play them when you view the cards. You can control the playback speed and volume of the audio files in the plugin’s settings. You can also choose to have the audio files played only when you are using headphones or when you are connected to a Wi-Fi network.
The AnkiDroid Audio Plugin is a powerful tool that can help language learners improve their skills. By automatically playing audio files associated with cards, the plugin can help learners to improve their pronunciation, listening comprehension, and vocabulary.
Requirements
Requirement |
AnkiDroid app installed on your Android device |
Audio files associated with your cards |
Configuring Auto-Audio Playback
To enable automatic audio playback for your Anki cards in English, follow these steps:
- Open Anki and click on “Tools” in the top menu bar.
- Select “Preferences” and then navigate to the “Media” tab.
- Check the box next to “Auto-play audio on card show”.
- Ensure that “Audio output” is set to the correct audio device.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
Additional Considerations:
Audio Files: Audio files must be in MP3 or OGG format and saved in the same folder as the corresponding Anki note. The file name should match the note’s ID or note field.
Playback Speed: You can adjust the playback speed by changing the “Audio playback speed” setting in the “Media” tab of Anki’s preferences.
Setting |
Description |
Normal |
Default playback speed (1x) |
Fast (1.2x) |
Slightly faster playback speed |
Slow (0.8x) |
Slightly slower playback speed |
Custom |
Allows you to specify a custom playback speed (e.g., 1.5x) |
Troubleshooting: If you’re experiencing issues with auto-audio playback, ensure that the audio files are correctly named and located, and that your audio device is properly configured.
Creating Audio Files for Anki
To create audio files for Anki, you will need a microphone and a recording software. There are many different recording software programs available, both free and paid. Some popular free options include Audacity, GarageBand, and WavePad. Once you have chosen a recording software, you can follow these steps to create an audio file:
1. Open your recording software and create a new project.
2. Set the recording format to MP3 or WAV.
3. Adjust the microphone settings to ensure that the audio is clear and free of background noise.
4. Start recording by pressing the record button.
5. Speak the text that you want to record into the microphone.
6. Stop recording when you are finished.
7. Save the audio file to your computer.
Tips for Creating High-Quality Audio Files
Here are some tips for creating high-quality audio files for Anki:
- Use a high-quality microphone.
- Record in a quiet environment.
- Speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
- Edit the audio file to remove any mistakes or background noise.
Recommended Audio File Format
The recommended audio file format for Anki is MP3. MP3 files are small and easy to store, and they provide good sound quality. However, you can also use WAV files if you want the highest possible sound quality.
Format |
Size |
Quality |
MP3 |
Small |
Good |
WAV |
Large |
Excellent |
Using Images with Embedded Audio
If you want to have Anki cards that automatically play audio in English language, you can use images with embedded audio. This is a great way to create cards that are more engaging and interactive, and it can also help you to improve your listening skills.
To create an image with embedded audio, you will need to use a program like Audacity. Once you have Audacity installed, you can import the audio file that you want to use. Then, you will need to select the part of the audio file that you want to embed in the image. Once you have selected the audio clip, you can export it as an MP3 file.
Once you have exported the audio clip, you can use a program like Photoshop to create an image with the embedded audio. To do this, you will need to create a new image and then import the audio clip. Then, you will need to select the part of the image that you want to contain the audio. Once you have selected the area, you can click on the “Embed Audio” button. This will embed the audio clip into the image.
Once you have created an image with embedded audio, you can add it to your Anki deck. To do this, you will need to click on the “Add” button and then select the image file. Once you have added the image to your deck, you can start studying it. When you click on the image, the audio clip will automatically play.
Pros |
Cons |
Engaging and interactive
Helps improve listening skills
|
Can be time-consuming to create
File size can be large
|
Troubleshooting Audio Playback
Restart Anki and/or Your Device
Sometimes, audio playback issues can be resolved by simply restarting Anki and/or your device. This can clear any temporary glitches or errors that may be affecting audio playback.
Adjust Device Audio Settings
Make sure that your device’s audio settings are properly configured. Check the volume levels for both the system and Anki app, as well as any external speakers or headphones you may be using.
Configure Anki’s Audio Playback Settings
Within Anki’s settings, navigate to the “General” tab. Under “Media,” ensure that the “Generate Speech” option is enabled. You can also adjust the “Speech Synthesis” settings to use a different voice or change the playback speed.
Check Audio File Formats
Anki supports audio files in MP3, WAV, and OGG formats. If your audio files are in a different format, you may need to convert them using a converter tool.
Verify Audio File Paths
The audio files used in Anki must be located in the correct folder on your device. Anki typically stores audio files in a subfolder named “collection.media.” Check that the audio files you want to use are present in this folder.
Error Message |
Possible Solution |
“Failed to initialize speech synthesis” |
Install required speech synthesis libraries or update Anki to the latest version. |
“Audio file not found” |
Verify the audio file path and ensure the file exists in the correct location. |
Advanced Auto-Audio Options
1. Custom Audio Fields
For more customization, you can create a custom audio field in your note type. This allows you to associate audio files with specific fields, such as a word’s pronunciation or a dialogue’s transcript.
2. Auto-Audio Delay
By default, Anki plays audio as soon as the card is shown. You can adjust the delay using the "Auto-Audio Delay" field in the Anki Preferences. This can be useful if you want to give users time to read the card before listening to the audio.
3. Audio Volume Controls
Anki provides several audio volume controls in the Preferences. You can adjust the volume for new cards, existing cards, and media files.
4. Automatic Audio Preview
When you’re reviewing cards, Anki can automatically play a short preview of the audio upon hovering over the audio field. This feature can be enabled in the Anki Preferences.
5. Media File Renderer
By default, Anki uses the system’s default media player to play audio files. You can change this by setting the "Media File Renderer" in the Anki Preferences.
6. Audio Tagging
Anki allows you to tag audio files with various metadata, such as the card’s deck, the note type, and the field name. This metadata can be used to filter and sort audio files, making it easier to manage a large collection.
Tag |
Description |
Deck |
The name of the deck that contains the card. |
Note Type |
The name of the note type that contains the card. |
Field |
The name of the field that contains the audio file. |
Auto-Audio for Specific Note Types
By default, Anki automatically plays audio only for certain note types, such as “Basic” and “Reversed Card”.
To enable auto-audio for other note types, you can follow these steps:
1. Open the Note Type Manager
Go to Tools > Manage Note Types…
2. Select the Note Type
In the Note Type Manager, select the note type you want to enable auto-audio for.
3. Go to the “Cards” Tab
Select the “Cards” tab in the Note Type Editor.
4. Find the “Audio” Field
Look for a field named “Audio” or similar. If the field doesn’t exist, you can create it by clicking the “Add” button.
5. Set the “Audio” Field to “Play Automatically”
In the “Audio” field, select “Play Automatically” from the drop-down menu.
6. Save the Note Type
Click the “Save” button to save the changes to the note type.
7. Possible Scenarios
Scenario |
Reason |
Solution |
Audio not playing |
The note type is not set to Auto-Audio |
Follow steps 1-6 to enable Auto-Audio for the note type |
Audio playing only on some cards |
The Audio field is not filled in for some cards |
Fill in the Audio field for the cards where audio is not playing |
Audio playing twice |
The same audio file is used in multiple fields |
Use different audio files for different fields or merge the fields |
Synchronizing Audio with Text
Anki provides the ability to automatically play audio files associated with your cards. This feature requires that your audio files and text content be synchronized, meaning that the audio file should begin playing at the same time that the text appears on the screen. Follow these steps to ensure proper synchronization:
1. Create your audio files
Generate audio files for your cards using a text-to-speech software or record your own audio. Ensure the files are in a supported audio format (e.g., MP3, WAV).
2. Import audio files
Within Anki, import the audio files into a media folder. Associate the audio files with the corresponding cards by dragging and dropping them onto the cards in the card editor.
3. Determine the delay
Listen to the audio and calculate the delay between the start of the recording and the moment you want the text to appear on the screen. This delay will vary depending on the audio file.
4. Create a Custom Audio Player
In the card template editor, create a custom audio player using the HTML snippet below:
HTML Snippet |
Description |
{{Audio}}
|
This code embeds the audio file and uses JavaScript to delay its playback by the specified number of milliseconds.
|
5. Adjust the delay
Replace the [delay in milliseconds] placeholder with the calculated delay value determined in step 3.
6. Save the template
Click “Save” in the card template editor to apply these settings to your cards.
7. Test the audio playback
Preview or study your cards to confirm that the audio plays in sync with the text.
8. Troubleshooting
If the audio is not playing in sync, double-check the following:
- Confirm that the audio files are associated with the correct cards.
- Verify that the delay value is accurate.
- Ensure that the audio files are not corrupted.
- Inspect the HTML code to make sure it is correctly implemented.
- Check that your browser or device is not experiencing any audio playback issues.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Audio Control
Shortcut |
Action |
Spacebar |
Play/pause audio |
Ctrl + Spacebar |
Toggle audio to front |
Shift + Spacebar |
Toggle audio to back |
Ctrl + Shift + Spacebar |
Repeat audio |
Left arrow |
Rewind audio by 5 seconds |
Right arrow |
Forward audio by 5 seconds |
Home |
Rewind audio to the beginning |
End |
Forward audio to the end |
9. Advanced Audio Control Options
In addition to the basic playback controls, Anki offers advanced audio control options accessible through the Audio menu. These options provide greater flexibility for customizing and managing audio playback:
- Toggle Repeat: Loops the audio playback indefinitely until paused or stopped.
- Set Repeat Interval: Specifies the time interval between successive repetitions of the audio.
- Set Replay Length: Determines the duration of the audio playback for each repetition.
- Enable Speed Control: Allows the user to adjust the playback speed of the audio, making it faster or slower.
- Disable Audio Key: Disables the keyboard shortcut key (typically the Spacebar) used to play or pause audio.
These advanced audio control options allow users to create and modify audio playback settings that suit their specific learning needs and preferences, enhancing the overall Anki experience for language learners.
Best Practices for Audio-Enhanced Anki Cards
1. Using High-Quality Audio Files
Clear and intelligible audio is crucial for effective learning. Ensure your audio files are recorded with minimal background noise and at a comfortable volume level.
2. Keep it Concise
Limit each audio clip to a single concept or idea. Avoid lengthy sentences or unnecessary details to maintain focus and engagement.
3. Use a Native Speaker
Engaging with audio spoken by a native speaker provides correct pronunciation and intonation, improving comprehension.
4. Clear Context
Provide clear context before playing the audio. This can be a written prompt or a sentence that introduces the concept.
5. Variety in Audio Sources
Incorporate a range of audio sources, such as podcasts, news articles, and films, to provide varied vocabulary and pronunciation styles.
6. Automatic Playback
Automate audio playback by using the “media” or “audio” field in Anki and setting the “autoplay” option. This ensures the audio plays automatically when the card is reviewed.
7. Active Listening
Encourage active listening by asking follow-up questions or having the learner repeat the audio. This reinforces comprehension.
8. Spaced Repetition
Use spaced repetition principles to schedule audio card reviews, ensuring you revisit the material at optimal intervals for memory retention.
9. Feedback and Assessment
Provide feedback on audio comprehension, such as quizzes or exercises, to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
10. Advanced Anki Plugins for Audio Enhancement
Utilize Anki plugins specifically designed to enhance audio functionality. These plugins extend the possibilities of audio manipulation, allowing you to:
Plugin |
Functionality |
|
Sound Muter |
Control audio playback in cards for distraction-free reviewing |
Audio Recorder |
Record and embed audio into cards |
AutoPlay Animation |
Play audio automatically with animated progress bars |
Japanese Support Plugin |
Allow Japanese text-to-speech for audio generation |
Custom Audio Scheduler |
Customize audio playback intervals based on card difficulty |
How To Have Anki Cards Automatically Play Audio
Anki is a powerful spaced repetition flashcard program that can help you learn new material quickly and efficiently. One of the great features of Anki is that it can automatically play audio files when you view cards. This can be a great way to improve your listening comprehension and pronunciation.
To have Anki cards automatically play audio, you need to first create a deck that contains audio files. You can do this by importing an audio file into Anki, or by creating a new deck and adding audio files to the cards.
Once you have created a deck that contains audio files, you need to configure the deck to automatically play the audio files. To do this, open the deck options dialog box and select the “Media” tab. In the “Audio” section, select the “Play audio automatically” checkbox.
Now, when you view cards in the deck, the audio files will automatically play. You can also use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+A” (or “Cmd+A” on a Mac) to play the audio file for the current card.
People Also Ask
How do I add audio to Anki cards?
You can add audio to Anki cards by importing an audio file into Anki, or by creating a new card and adding an audio file to the card.
How do I play audio in Anki?
To play audio in Anki, first make sure that the deck you are viewing contains audio files. Then, click on the “Play” button in the toolbar, or use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+A” (or “Cmd+A” on a Mac).
How do I stop Anki from playing audio automatically?
To stop Anki from playing audio automatically, open the deck options dialog box and select the “Media” tab. In the “Audio” section, uncheck the “Play audio automatically” checkbox.