What is the best (cheapest) way to replicate the message/song playing greeting cards?

They must be able to make them for less than a $5.00. Could I use an Arduino or MSP430?

-Jeff

 

PICAxe have sound and tune commands to make music with. Video of one playing tunes and learning them

Otherwise, buy a greeting card and rip the circuit out.

 

You might look at Roman Black's BTc Sound Encoder:
http://www.romanblack.com/picsound.htm

You can use a very cheap PIC uC with the software and just a couple of hardware items to reproduce a short sound.

 

Least expensive in parts, time, or both?

As you can get these so cheaply now, I'd hack one from an existing product:

http://www.meritline.com/lovely-frog-welcome-doorbell-wireless-light-sensor---p-60770.aspx

Or use a premade one to put into my project:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Light-Sensor-Talking-Voice-Recorder-Craft-Music-Sound-/250462742215

And if you were to go into production or make many:

http://www.bigdawgspromo.com/products/sound.html