ABOUT US
Christopher Sikora
Owner, Chief Engineer, Producer, Technician, Guitarist
Chris Sikora is a producer and engineer with experience in many aspects of music. From his decades of experience as a professional guitarist, to his years behind a mixing console and in shops as a tech, he has extensive knowledge and offers invaluable insight at each step of the recording and producing process.
Having attended recording school at a young age, he became heavily involved in music production at a time when the digital music revolution began to remold the industry into what it is today. Chris has been working with Pro Tools for over 20 years. However he started his career when tape was still king, which laid down a solid foundation in his professional analog approach. In his 20’s, he moved to Denver to pursue a career as a guitarist in the jam world, only to realize his real passion was more rooted in other styles, focusing more in songwriting and production. His real home tended to be in the studio, creating new sounds, recreating old classic sounds, and experimenting with synthesis in new ways, yet still chasing a certain vintage aesthetic.
In Denver he befriended the legendary and infamous Fat Willie Whittaker, aka Lord Valve, whilst he would work on his guitar amps in between gigs. He soon began working under Willie’s wing in his custom amp shop, and spent a decade as his sole apprentice, learning how to repair and eventually build all kinds of musical devices, and becoming an expert on the nuances of vintage equipment. This led him into designing the current incarnation of Voyager Studios as he had always imagined: a combination of the best of the past with the best of the now.
After years of trial-and-error incorporating various workflows he sought in the early years with analog recording and mixing techniques, he’s now streamlined the process allowing for a fast and efficient workflow in the studio, while still maximizing tonal option and maintaining a unique approach to each project that comes through the door. He spent time studying with Grammy and platinum engineer/producers such as Clark Hagan (Chet Atkins), Kyle Jones (Flobots), and Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton), borrowing many studio tricks while discovering plenty of his own.
Since Voyager Studios began 5 years ago, he has worked with some of the top artists and producers in Orange County/LA areas as well as national acts, including Dirty Heads, Jonathan “Sugarfoot” Moffett (Michael Jackson, Elton John, Madonna), Chris Darley and Father John Misty, latin jazz legend Jesus Molina, Loren Humphries (Tame Impala), The 400 Unit (Jason Isbel), dub producer DNM, Kadhja Bonet, keyboard/production legend Roger Manning Jr (Beck, Jellyfish), jazz prodigy Justin Lee Schultz, drum extraordinaire Frank Lenz, JJUUJJUU, promising young newcomers like Will Worden, Evan Blix, Edyn, and local unsung heroes like Tony Rodriguez and DJ Neve.
With a deep passion for jazz, fusion, folk, country, psychedelic rock, funk, and electronic experimental music, he aims to set the bar high with each production he is involved with, whether it’s his own project, or that of a first-time client.
Chris Dixie Darley
Producer, Guitarist, Engineer
Chris Dixie Darley boasts an impressive professional pedigree. As a touring and recording guitar player he’s played on lauded releases like Drug Dealer’s “Hiding in Plain Sight” (2022), Michael Rault’s self-titled 2022 release, and, most recently, Father John Misty’s “Mahashmashana” (2024) with co-writing credits. Darley also wrote all the music on Brooks Nielsen of the Growlers’ 2022 solo effort, “One Match Left”.
His tenure as a producer and engineer at Voyager Studios has already yielded impressive results with releases from promising young artists like Evan Blix with “Only You / Poor Annie” and Will Worden with his new release, “The Only One and All the Others” (2025).
When not on the road, Voyager Studios has quickly become a second-home. Aside from his wide array of talents and know-how, Dixie’s also helped furnish the studio with his extensive personal collection of vintage instruments and effects. “And everything works! Pick up a guitar and its setup and plug-in ready! Want a tape machine? It’s clean, dialed in, and plug-in ready! That’s rare at any studio, but not Voyager. No setbacks. Everything’s easy, fast, and efficient.”
With a knack for collaboration, a fun producers mentality, a wealth of experience, and a genuine desire to help artists make their best work, Chris Dixie Darley is eager and excited to see who walks through Voyager’s doors next.
Derek Burroughs
Engineer, Drummer, V Records Label Owner
Derek Burroughs has been immersed in music since childhood, beginning with piano lessons at age five and excelling in competitions, theory exams, and ensemble performances. By nine, he expanded into percussion, studying mallet instruments, snare drum, timpani, and drum set through private instruction that continued into college. Following in his father’s footsteps—a dedicated drummer and community band leader—Derek performed in a wide range of ensembles, including jazz combos, orchestras, and pit orchestras, often serving as section leader. He earned top placements in All-County and All-State Bands and performed at the prestigious Military School Band Festival.
Derek went on to study Percussion Performance at James Madison University, where he also pursued advanced music theory and sight-singing. While formally trained in classical percussion, his passion for music extended beyond academia. Since middle school, he has played in numerous rock bands, and the ongoing reincarnations of his projects with Chris Sikora, thus growing up in studios and contributing to many albums as an engineer, songwriter and performer, and developing an evolving interest in the recording and production process.
Beyond engineering and performance, Derek holds a strong appreciation for vinyl collecting. His passion for records led him to establish V Records, an affiliate of Voyager Studios, where he merges his love for music with the art of vinyl production. Through V Records, Derek is dedicated to providing artists with affordable opportunities to release their music on vinyl and endorse up and comers that have worked at Voyager, ensuring high-quality pressings that connect musicians with collectors and fans.
As a recording engineer and session drummer, Derek plays a vital role in Voyager Studios' projects, offering expert drum and percussion work while helping artists bring their creative visions to life. Whether behind the kit, behind the board, or working on vinyl releases, his goal remains the same—to elevate music and provide artists with the tools to share their work with the world.
Chris Shwayka
Technical Engineer. Co-Owner. Musician.
Chris Shwayka is our in-house tech and equipment designer. He is also a multi-instrumentalist with a degree in trumpet performance. He has been playing both the trumpet and bass for nearly 30 years, and synths starting in college. He has been a long time member of a band with Chris Sikora and Derek Burroughs, and has helped mix and engineer every album that their band has released in addition to performing on them.
While he has a day job as a software engineer, Shwayka also helps Sikora maintain and repair all of the equipment in the studios. This has branched off into a small Voyager R&D department under the name of S.E.L. that makes complete replacement circuit boards and upgrades for MCI consoles, as well as equipment designed to better integrate modular synthesizers and tape machines into a professional recording workflow.
Chris has about a decade of experience engineering both digital and analog sessions, but is mainly focused on making the studio the best place to record it can possibly be.
Zayne Brundage
Assistant Engineer
Zayne Brundage is the Assistant Engineer who has worked under Christopher Sikora since 2023, starting as an intern at Voyager Studios and working his way up the ladder.
Zayne started out as a multi-instrumentalist at Music Media Entertainment Technology at the Academy of Performing Arts in Huntington Beach. He played guitar, bass, drums and vocals. During his latter years in APA, he found a passion for audio recording when taking an Recording Techniques course taught by Michael Simmons.
Acquiring various pieces of recording equipment and becoming proficient in both ProTools and Logic, Zayne began recording his own, and friends', projects. Finding his passion in psychedelic rock and experimental music he discovered a deep respect for 60s and 70s records and their high fidelity. This then created a new found affection for analog recording and mixing, and he longed to work in a professional environment that incorporated these techniques in a digital world.
After attending Orange Coast College for Recording Techniques, Zayne applied for internships at various recording studios in the Orange County/Long Beach area. He found his home at Voyager Studios. The vintage MCI console, Scully tape machine and the plethora of high-end outboard gear caught his eye and realized his vision of working within the analog world.
With 5 years of recording experience and over a year of hard work at Voyager Studios, Zayne is ready to tackle any session or project presented to him.
Dylan Baler
Recording Engineer, Assistant
Dylan Baler is a recording engineer with hands-on experience in both analog and digital mixing. Since the age of 17, he has worked at studios, most notably, The Market Recording and Timbuktu studios in Echo Park, under the mentorship of Kyle Biane and Peter Recine. Dylan has assisted on recording, tracking, and writing sessions for notable artists like Lizzy McAlpine, Sugar Foot Moffet, Ben Platt, and Nico Turner.
With a strong understanding of studio etiquette and a commitment to professionalism, Dylan is experienced in maintaining smooth session workflows, managing studio logistics, and ensuring the comfort of clients. He is proficient in Pro Tools, Ableton, and Logic, Studio 1, and Digital Performer and has worked with professional PA systems for live events. Dylan is active in the Los Angeles music scene and records his own projects both personally and for clients. His background in recording school further enhances his technical expertise and operational knowledge in the studio.
