Fermion DFPlayer Pro Mini MP3 Player w/ Onboard 128MB Storage (Breakout)

I have been attempting to use the DFPlayer Pro mp3 player for a sound effect on a project (as a stand-alone player, no microcontroller) and am having an issue. I have added one track to the player. My problem is that when I power up the player, it plays a prompt saying the word “music”. Only after this word plays can I trigger my own sound through "PLAY". Tech support for the manufacturer says this is a default function that can not be changed without purchasing extra hardware, soldering pin headers to the module and connecting it to a computer through a USB to TTL module for AT configuration. What happens if something goes wrong during this "hacking" would I be able to return the module? This is certainly not what I expected when purchasing a module that advertises standalone uses such as "DIY Plush Toys". I expected squeeze paw of stuffed lion → lion roars, not squeeze paw, lion says "music" then roars. I know I could use a microcontroller to solve it but they do advertise stand-alone use.

I have had a couple of the DFPlayer modules with the sdcard and this version uses 128mb of RAM verses the sdcard. Although the RAM's capacity is much smaller, switching between tracks seems faster and it also has stereo output while maintaining its built in amplifier and "adkey" functionality. It however seems to have lost the "busy" pin.

It includes 128 MB so you don't need to buy an SD Card. It's only a problems if you need to put more than 128 MB of Mp3 but for sound effect in a project it's still perfect.