The house that Grand Theft Auto built re-introduces the next generation in music production on Sony’s portable handheld system.

Rockstar Games has become a staple in pop culture, creating phenomenal video game soundtracks, with their critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series leading by example. Back in 2005, the developer would switch lanes into the realm of beat production, creating a music simulator for the PC, titled Beaterator—a flash application that allows gamers to produce beats using Rockstar’s collection of loops and sounds. Garnering a cult following amongst beat-making aficionados, the company saw their experimental project become an underground hit. With the momentum riding high, Rockstar has brought Hip-Hop maestro Timbaland into the mix, making the transition from the PC to the Sony PSP, and producing the most power music generator for the portable circuit.

Four years in the making, Timbaland was ecstatic about the opportunity to collaborate with Rockstar, “When Rockstar approached me about creating a game creating beats, with me making beats, I thought it was the most brilliant idea ever!” Accompanying Justin Timberlake on his FutureSex/LoveShow tour, the highly acclaimed producer managed his time properly, contributing his own shock value to the title, “Mostly all the time when I was on tour, me and Justin was on tour, I made the kicks, I made them sound a certain way. Now I gave the personal power to have my sound.”

Beaterator puts the creative control in the producer’s hands, with the ability to compose new production stylings on the go. Right off the bat, gamers are blessed with a collection sounds from Rockstar and “authentic sim sounds, authentic drum machine sounds, kicks, snares, bass loops,” from Timbo. PSP owners can record their own vocals by utilizing the handheld’s microphone and string melodies by mastering their own mixes. Import and export MIDI files onto a Memory Stick Duo and share you’re catalog of beats with today’s upcoming stars and established acts.

Three beat making modes are available, helping novices excel in the craft of music production. Live Play teaches gamers the experimentation process of toying with pre-arranged templates with the assistance of Timbaland, as you work with his personal collection of loops and sounds. After amateur hour is completed, take your work into the Studio and fine-tune or start a new record from scratch. Test your talent on Song Crafter Mode and create singular beats and sounds that can be accessed across all three modes.

Rockstar looks to expand its audience and will release Beaterator on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Though the i-versions will not feature the same music tools as its predecessor, gamers will still have the ability to create and mix original music. With everything moving mobile, Rockstar sure knows how to adapt with the times. And if you ask Timbo, he’ll put it in a more clear perspective, “Beaterator is gonna change the game, the same way I came in and changed the game.”

– CJ Washington