This week’s DJ LIFE Mobile Monday DJ spotlight, presented by QSC, shines on Mike Beltran (aka Mikey Beats) from San Diego, California.
Mikey Beats is this week’s DJ LIFE Mobile Monday spotlight. Presented by QSC, Mike Beltran (aka Mikey Beats) of SMG Events is based out of San Diego, California. Mike Beltran’s path into DJing started the classic way: buying a pair of Technics 1200s and putting in the time to learn the craft before ever stepping into a real gig.
Over the years, he sharpened his mixing skills, built up a strong record collection, and eventually expanded into open-format DJing as digital tools like Serato changed the game. What began as a passion quickly became a long-term career, with Beltran finding his lane in weddings, corporate events, and private functions where he’s able to apply his skills, versatility, and professionalism, which matter just as much as technical ability.
Fast forward to today, he’s still rooted in that turntable-first mindset, running a setup built for power and performance reliability. Beltran breaks down the realities of mobile DJ life – from the perks of good wedding food and strong paychecks to the grind of hauling gear, handling taxes, and balancing family life. He also shares his pet peeves and why, despite the work, he’d still take this lifestyle over a cubicle any day.
When DJ LIFE spoke with Beltran regarding all things mobile DJ, here’s how it went down…
DJ LIFE: How did you get started as a DJ?
Mike Beltran: I started as a DJ when I bought my first Technics 1200s way back in 2001. It took me about a year to learn how to mix well enough to start playing out and also to buy enough records to put together an hour set. Once Serato came out, I mimicked the style of my all-time favorite open-format DJ, DJ AM. Once I was comfortable enough to play multiple genres of music, I started booking weddings and corporate events. I have been a mobile DJ ever since.
DJ LIFE: Can you tell us about your current DJ setup?
Beltran: My DJ setup consists of 2 x Technics 1200MK5, a Pioneer S11, 2 x QSC K12.2, and 2 x QSC KS118.
DJ LIFE: What are some of the biggest pros and cons of being a mobile DJ?
Beltran:
Mobile DJ Pros:
Food – Man, we eat good at weddings, usually. Most nice couples want to feed us and give us treats. I love that! Although I will never eat at my DJ booth, I am always down to scarf down some delicious cake!
$$$ – Everyone says the DJ money is in mobile gigs, and they are right. It’s also long money if you are business-minded.
Stock tips – No one ever talks about this, but if you get into doing corporate events for publicly traded companies, you could get access to insider information. Of course this is illegal, but hey, I can’t unhear if someone is talking loudly about earnings.
Mobile DJ Cons:
Taxes – I know a ton of DJs who didn’t pay their taxes or organize their business correctly, then got chewed up by an audit. You work for yourself, so no one is going to do it for you. Get your money right.
Health Insurance – Accidents happen, and if you’re not insured, you could get in financial trouble if you don’t have health insurance. It’s so expensive and our health care system is flawed, but it’s still necessary.
Gear – As a mobile DJ, you’re gonna need to take care of your gear. That means you have to keep it clean, make sure it functions, and make repairs when stuff breaks. Also, you gotta load your vehicle, unload at the venue, set it up, play on it, break it down, reload the vehicle, then reload it back into your garage or storage. That’s a lot of work! But I would much rather do all this than work in a cubicle.
DJ LIFE: Do you have any DJ-related pet peeves?
Beltran: My biggest DJ pet peeve is anytime someone walks by me wherever I am DJing and they mimic the DJ headphones and scratching. I hate that. Seriously people, y’all look dumb doing that and it pisses me off. But of course I do what we need to do: just smile, fake laugh, and say, “Good one!”
Another DJ pet peeve of mine is how DJs are always bigging themselves up and are the worst haters. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll hate on some whack ass DJs, but if you’re in my ear while I am on the decks talking about how great of a DJ you are, man, kick rocks. Don’t talk about it, be about it.
DJ LIFE: How has being a DJ impacted your personal/family life?
Beltran: When I was a DJ in the bars and clubs, I was working 5-6 nights a week, often getting home at 3-4am. That was fine in my 20s, but once I got married and started a family, that took its toll on me, so I “retired” from bar and club gigs to just focus on private events. That worked out great for me because 1-2 events on a weekend tripled my income compared to working 5-6 nights in the bars and clubs. Once I added corporate gigs during the week, I was set. Being a family man who DJs, I often get asked to DJ community events as well as school and sports functions. I love those because even though they don’t pay, I get to elevate the experience and get the kids as well as the parents moving.
