Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to build a realistic VHS tape look for your footage in Adobe After Effects. Customize the intensity of the damage to get the exact retro vibe you want. As part of the tutorial, I'm providing an authentic clip of VHS tracking static and audio hum.
🎁 Free Download: To grab your VHS tracking static clip with audio hum, visit creationeffects.com and head to the "Freebies" page.
📺 Want to take it up a few notches? Check out the "Creation VHS Effects" template: creationeffects.com/creation-vhs-effects
The Creation VHS Effects template includes a variety of VHS and analog TV effects, such as glitches, static overlays, transitions, sound fx, and audio distortion effects for the audio in your footage. The finished presets allow you to instantly get different looks, ranging from subtle to heavily damaged tapes. Easily adjust the intensity/damage with the controls.
0:00 Intro & examples
1:07 Precompose your footage
1:49 Edge halo
2:32 Interlacing/pixelation
4:20 Scan lines
4:58 Color grading & blur
7:09 Static & hum
7:38 Creation VHS Effects
9:52 Bottom warp
11:56 Scrolling displacement lines
16:02 Black bars/pillarbox
16:59 Grain/color variations
18:25 Other effects for footage
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to build a realistic VHS tape look for your footage in Adobe After Effects. Customize the intensity of the damage to get the exact retro vibe you want. As part of the tutorial, I'm providing an authentic clip of VHS tracking static and audio hum.
🎁 Free Download: To grab your VHS tracking static clip with audio hum, visit creationeffects.com and head to the "Freebies" page.
📺 Want to take it up a few notches? Check out the "Creation VHS Effects" template: creationeffects.com/creation-vhs-effects
The Creation VHS Effects template includes a variety of VHS and analog TV effects, such as glitches, static overlays, transitions, sound fx, and audio distortion effects for the audio in your footage. The finished presets allow you to instantly get different looks, ranging from subtle to heavily damaged tapes. Easily adjust the intensity/damage with the controls.
0:00 Intro & examples
1:07 Precompose your footage
1:49 Edge halo
2:32 Interlacing/pixelation
4:20 Scan lines
4:58 Color grading & blur
7:09 Static & hum
7:38 Creation VHS Effects
9:52 Bottom warp
11:56 Scrolling displacement lines
16:02 Black bars/pillarbox
16:59 Grain/color variations
18:25 Other effects for footage
