Why Adding Noise Makes Your Video Look Better
Adding noise on purpose makes footage look better — counterintuitive, but it works. A tiny bit of noise reduces banding (those ugly stripes of solid color), keeps compression artifacts invisible, and adds texture that makes footage look more organic. Use it subtly on color-graded shots, after heavy effects, or whenever your image looks too clean and plastic.
Settings used
- Amount of Noise: 12%
- Type: Color
Add the effect from FX → Noise & Grain → Noise. The Amount slider controls intensity — 5-15% is barely visible but eliminates banding, 20%+ creates obvious grain for a gritty aesthetic. Type switches between Color (adds noise to all channels) and Monochrome (adds grain without color shift).
When to use it
Add noise after heavy color grading to reduce banding in gradients. Use it when exporting to heavily compressed formats (MP4, H.264) to keep compression artifacts hidden. Add subtle noise before applying blur or other effects to prevent posterization. For a vintage or analog look, increase amount to 20-30% and use it as a deliberate stylistic choice.