How to Open & Add Effect Controls in Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is a powerful video editing tool. It contains countless features that let you make cinematic edits with ease. Many of these are called effects. And these effects are controlled with the Effect Controls panel in Premiere Pro.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to add Effect Controls in Premiere Pro. This panel is really the control center for edits in Premiere. We’ll look at how to use Effect Controls, and how to open Effects panel in Premiere Pro fast. These tools help you make precise edits and modifications to videos in Premiere.
Want to know how to open the effects panel in Premiere Pro? We've got you covered. Let’s learn how to open Effect Controls in Premiere Pro and start using them today.
How to Add Effect Controls in Premiere Pro
Effect Controls in Premiere Pro is a versatile panel full of options. It’s easy to work with. Effect Controls works in tandem with the Effects panel in Premiere. But it’s also a powerful standalone tool that you can use with any video - no special effects needed.
So, where is the Effects panel in Premiere Pro? We’ll work through the full process, step by step.
1. Open the Effect Controls Panel
Working in Premiere Pro, let’s get familiar with the layout of the screen. For this example, I’ve used some stock footage from Envato Elements. It’s a beautiful stock clip of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and we’ll use it to demonstrate Effect Controls.
Notice that the clip is previewed in the upper center of the screen. This section of Premiere Pro is called the Program Monitor. As you can see, it shows you the footage you’re editing in real time.
Any edits that you make with Effect Controls will immediately preview here. It shows exactly what you’ll get when you export a finished video.



Below the Program Monitor is the Timeline. Here, you can arrange, layer, and sequence video clips. It controls the playback - how and when clips start, and how they interact with one another.
Let’s look at how to open Effect Controls in Premiere Pro. You might be wondering, "where is effect controls in Premiere Pro?" Effect Controls is a panel, which sits beside your clip in the Program Monitor. By default, you won’t see it visible in Premiere Pro. You’ll first have to launch it.



To open Effect Controls in Premiere Pro, find the Window dropdown at the top of your screen. Click Window, and from the list of options on the dropdown, click Effect Controls. Just like that, Effect Controls will launch! You’ll see it just to the left of your previewed clip in the Program Monitor.
2. Use Effect Controls to Transform Clips
With Effect Controls open, let’s start using it. You’ll see three dropdown menus listed. These are Motion, Opacity, and Time Remapping. Click on the arrows beside each one to expand the list of options inside.



The Motion group lets you change how a video clip is positioned in the frame. For example, you can change the position. By default, videos appear in the center of the editing canvas. By adjusting the position coordinates, you can offset a video up, down, or side to side.
Think of the Scale menu as a zoom tool. For example, if you set this clip to 125.0 in scale, it will zoom in by 25%. You can also control things like rotation, anchor point, and more.



Opacity controls the transparency of a video clip. This is very useful if you need clips or effects on other clips to show through. For example, you might want to overlay another clip so that it will show through. This is easy to control with the Opacity slider.
Time Remapping helps you use keyframes to change the speed of a video clip. This is one way to add cool dramatic effects. For example, you could add dramatic slow-motion effects. Or, you could speed up a clip to better fit it into your project’s timeline.
As you can see, Effect Controls in Premiere Pro is a great starting point for edits. It helps you set the stage for even more powerful edits, which we’ll look at next.
3. Add Effects and Adjust with Effect Controls
The Effect Controls we used above are default tools, automatically available for every clip. But they’re just the tip of the iceberg with Premiere Pro. You can add countless other custom effects, and work with them using Effect Controls.
To do this, you’ll want to launch the Effects panel. To open it, go to Window > Effects. Then, choose Effects from the toolbar menu in the upper right corner of your screen. The Effects sidebar will open, to the right of the Program Monitor and Timeline.



Here, you’ll find dozens more custom effects. They vary widely in style and design. But they work the same way. For example, click into the Video Effects dropdown. For a basic example, let’s open Blur & Sharpen. Find the Sharpen effect inside.
To add this effect (or any other) to your clip, click and drag the effect from the Effects panel. Move it over the top of your clip in the Timeline, and drop it into place. The clip is shown as a purple bar.
You won’t see an immediate change in the Program Monitor preview. But look at what appears in the Effect Controls panel. Here, you’ll see a new dropdown: Sharpen. Any effect that you add in Premiere Pro is controlled within the Effect Controls. You’re able to adjust the strength of the effect quickly and easily.



For example, let’s adjust the Sharpen Amount to 30 here. When you do, watch what happens in the Program Monitor. The clip becomes noticeably sharper. This is how to add Effect Controls in Premiere Pro! Drop an effect into place, and control it using the Effect Controls menu.
Keep in mind: you can add more than one effect to a clip. The process is always the same. Drop an effect into the Timeline. When you do, you’ll see controls for it appear in the Effect Controls. Your possibilities are limitless. Use your imagination and explore different effects. They’re a quick, powerful way to remarkably transform every video that you work with in Adobe Premiere Pro.
As you can see, it’s easy to work with Effect Controls in Premiere Pro. You learned how to add Effect Controls in Premiere Pro in just a few quick steps. Most importantly, you know the answer to "where is effect controls in Premiere Pro?" As you begin editing in Premiere, you’ll find yourself using these features over and over again.
The Top Source for Adobe Premiere Pro Templates (Unlimited Downloads 2023)
Envato Elements is the best source for premium Adobe Premiere Pro video templates. With these templates, you can create amazing videos of your own, faster than ever. Elements has thousands to choose from, all available now.



The offer is unbeatable: unlimited downloads. For a flat monthly rate, you can download and use as many premium templates as you want. And you’ll enjoy 15+ million more digital assets. These include stock video, music, fonts, and more. They’re the perfect companions for your next production.



Explore premium Elements templates and enjoy:
- Modern, cinematic styles. You won’t find dull, basic themes here! Each premium template is built by a video expert with your project needs foremost in mind.
- Easy-to-use features. Not a Premiere Pro expert? No need! Templates are easy to use, and many even include helpful tutorials to follow along with.
- Inspired designs. Can’t decide how best to share and present your videos? You’ll find cool inspirations in each video template.
As you can see, Envato Elements is the best value for creatives in 2023. Join today and don’t miss out!
Use Effect Controls in Premiere Pro Today
Ready to unlock a new world of style and design in your video projects? You have the tools you need. You’ve just learned how to add Effect Controls in Premiere Pro. Use this menu each time you make an edit. With everything from style edits to corrections, it’s the ultimate tool for creating better videos.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the Effect Controls in Premiere Pro and start exploring the countless custom effects that you can easily add and edit. Your audiences will love it, and you’ll enjoy the ability to transform all of your footage.