Our story.
NativeAudio is a native-owned effect pedal company founded by Mike Trombley, an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation with over a decade of engineering experience. NativeAudio is committed keeping Native American culture alive while also inspiring musicians to connect with their art in a more meaningful and creative way.
How we got here.
Mike Trombley, Founder
The beginning.
I'm Mike Trombley, the Founder of NativeAudio, a company created out of my love for engineering, music, and heritage. My journey started in Browning, Montana, on the Blackfeet Reservation, where I grew up interested in electronics. I was the kid constantly take things apart, figuring out how they worked, then reassembling them. It was only natural that my family would later title me as “lead toy assembler” during the holidays.
Engineering a new design.
Engineering and music.
During my high school years after moving to Dayton, Ohio, I discovered music. Music had a profound impact on me, shifting my perspective and igniting a lifelong drive towards creativity. However, as I approached college in 2010, I found myself at a crossroads. I wanted to continue my music endeavors while still pursuing a "big boy" job, so I made the decision to enter the field of electrical engineering. I later earned my Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E) in 2015 followed by a Master of Electrical Engineering (M.S.E.E) in 2017.
Working on a Red House prototype.
It started as a hobby.
Throughout my college years, I built pedals in my basement as a hobby, allowing me to advance my circuit design skills alongside my coursework. It was during this time that I started collaborating with local musicians, who quickly fell in love with my products and began using them both live and in their recordings.
Red House Electronics Mint Drive v2.
Red House Electronics.
I realized I had something special, and that's when my hobby transformed into my first company, Red House Electronics. Our initial product offering included the Mint Drive Overdrive and the Heat Wave Tremolo. As the company continued to grow and I learned more about circuit design, we introduced the Running Wolf, Eagle Feather, and Ghost Ridge. At this point, I began to notice that the products expressed elements of my Blackfeet heritage.
Mike’s Great-grandfather, James White Grass
NativeAudio.
Recognizing the significance of the connection between the products and my Native heritage, I decided to rebrand the company as NativeAudio. It became an incredible opportunity for me to not only pursue my passion for electronics and music but also reconnect with my culture and honor the legacy of my ancestors. Growing up on the reservation, the richness and beauty of our culture were second nature to me. However, it wasn't until I ventured beyond the reservation that I truly understood its profound impact.
Mike and his Grandmother, Pretty Bird Woman
Culture shared through sound.
At NativeAudio, my mission has been to share the culture and stories of the Blackfeet Nation through sound. By weaving our products together with the stories of our heritage, we aim to create connection and enable others to experience our culture. NativeAudio has truly provided me with a remarkable platform to celebrate my culture while also inspiring musicians to create their best work, and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to create these meaningful connections through our products.
We’re beyond excited to have you on this journey with us. Now, let’s go and make some noise!
NativeAudio
Culture shared through sound.