Create an RGB Split Effect in Premiere Pro CC

Premiere Pro 02/01/2019 2 min read

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create the popular RGB split effect inside of Adobe Premiere Pro CC. This effect is typically created in After Effects or with expensive plugins, but you’ll learn how to recreate it using only native Premiere Pro effects. Let’s get started!

How to Create an RGB Effect

Step 1: Set Up Your Timeline

  1. Let’s say you have 2 different shots back to back in Premiere Pro. 
  2. First, you’ll want to nest both shots. To do this highlight both, right-click, and select Nest. Choose a name for the nest. 
  3. Next, duplicate the video 2 different times. You can do this by hitting Alt or Option on your keyboard and dragging the footage up. This will duplicate it to a new track.

Step 2: Change the RGB Colors for Each Track

  1. Next, head on to the Effects Panel > Video Effects > Image Control > Color Balance (RGB). Apply it to the first track.
  2. Now, enter the RGB values. You’ll want red at 100 and set green and blue to 0. 
  3. Copy and paste this to the second track but turn red to 0, green to 100, and blue to 0.  
  4. Finally, copy and paste to the final track. Change red to 0, green to 0, and blue to 100. 
  5. On the first track, click on Effects Control > Opacity > Linear Dodge (Add).
  6. Next, on the second track, click on Effects Control > Opacity > Linear Dodge (Add). 
  7. At this point, you should now see the original image colors intact. 
  8. Now, to create the separate RGB effect, go to the first track and move its Position slightly. Do this for each track until you’re happy with the look. 

Step 3: Shake Different Color Channels Through a Transition (Optional)

  1. Find the spot right before you cut into your second clip.
  2. Set Position keyframes and move it around slightly. Set keyframes every few frames. Be sure to copy the first keyframe at the ends where it should be at the end.
  3. Next, highlight all these keyframes. So it’s not moving all other the place, right-click and from the dropdown that appears, click on Temporal Interpolation > Hold. This will help the RBG effect pop around. 
  4. Repeat the process for the other two tracks.
  5. Now take a look at how things are looking so far! You might want to add more effects and features, like speeding it up. But you are now starting from a good place to get more creative with this RGB effect! 

The RGB split effect in Premiere Pro is an excellent way to add a hi-tech look to your edit or to make your transitions more dynamic. Get started by following the above steps, and you’re good to go!