Frequency Modulation
Convert source luminance into frequency-modulated scan lines, radial rings, square carriers, or segment bars.
Add Frequency Modulation
Open an image or build the source composition first. Put this effect after the content it should process in stack processing order. Choose Glitch → Frequency Modulation in the effects picker, or search for Frequency Modulation with Cmd/Ctrl + F. Select the new layer in Layers to open its Effect Panel.
Choose the carrier
Select Field and Shape, then set Line Count or the mode-specific density or pixel size. Choose Map From to decide which source tones drive modulation.
Tune the signal
Set Phase Scale, Phase and Warp Strength for the luminance-driven bend. Line Angle or Scan Direction sets the carrier orientation. Start with coarse spacing so the pattern is easy to read.
Colour and animate
Choose Color Mode, Line Color or Palette and Background. Animate Phase for movement; inspect fine carrier lines at full preview quality.
Edit the shared palette
Choose Gradient Palette in Color Mode to show Palette. Colors and Palettes explains adding and moving stops, editing colour and opacity, extracting colours and saving a palette for reuse.
Compare and finish
Toggle the layer eye to compare with the incoming composition. Use the Effect Panel footer for opacity and blend mode, or add a mask to limit the affected area. In Video or Live, use the function menu on a supported control to add keyframes or a driver.
Control reference
Show individual controls
| Control | What it does | Values and animation |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Colour behind the generated Frequency Modulation carrier. | RGBA colour (0 to 255 per channel) Default: RGBA (5, 7, 18, 255) Colour keyframes |
| Field | Switches Frequency Modulation between linear scan-lines and radial rings. | Linear / Circular Default: Linear Discrete keyframes |
| Shape | Chooses whether Frequency Modulation draws lines, square pixel stamps, or short segment bars. | Lines / Pixels / Segments Default: Pixels Discrete keyframes |
| Center X | Horizontal centre point for radial modes. | 0 to 1 Default: 0.5 Continuous keyframes |
| Center Y | Vertical centre point for radial modes. | 0 to 1 Default: 0.5 Continuous keyframes |
| Color Contrast | Increases or softens contrast in the FM colour mapping. | 0 to 3 Default: 0.8 Continuous keyframes |
| Color Mode | Colours the FM carrier with a two-colour Duotone pair or the selected Gradient Palette. | Duotone / Gradient Palette Default: Gradient Palette Discrete keyframes |
| Color Phase | Offsets the FM palette or colour source through its cycle. | 0 to 1 Default: 0 Continuous keyframes |
| Color Scale | Repeats or stretches the FM palette mapping. | 0.1 to 8 Default: 1 Continuous keyframes |
| Map From | Chooses whether FM colour follows source luminance, the line mask, scan position, or carrier phase. | Source Luma / Line Mask / Scan Position / Carrier Phase Default: Source Luma Discrete keyframes |
| Line Angle | Rotates the linear FM carrier field. | 0° to 360° Default: 70° Continuous keyframes |
| Line Color | Foreground colour of the Frequency Modulation carrier when Color Mode is Duotone. | RGBA colour (0 to 255 per channel) Default: RGBA (235, 238, 255, 255) Colour keyframes |
| Line Count | Sets how many FM carrier lines or rings are generated. | 0.1 to 12 Default: 2.4 Continuous keyframes |
| Line Density | Controls whether bright or dark source regions cluster the FM carrier. | -2 to 2 Default: 0.3 Continuous keyframes |
| Line Sharpness | Sharpens or softens line carriers; pixel and segment carriers use stamp size instead. | 1 to 220 Default: 6 Continuous keyframes |
| Luma Floor | Minimum luminance required before source pixels influence the FM carrier. | 0 to 1 Default: 0.02 Continuous keyframes |
| Mask to Alpha | Writes the generated carrier mask into alpha so the signal can overlay lower layers. | On / Off Default: Off Discrete keyframes |
| Palette | Chooses the colours mapped onto the Frequency Modulation carrier. | Available presets Default: risoInkTealPinkYellow Discrete keyframes |
| Phase | Offsets the frequency-modulation carrier phase; Phase Scale multiplies this offset. | 0 to 1 Default: 0 Continuous keyframes |
| Phase Scale | Multiplies Phase for faster or slower FM carrier movement. | 0 to 4 Default: 1 Continuous keyframes |
| Pixel Size | Size of Frequency Modulation pixel or segment stamps. | 0.05 to 10 %; 1 to 128 px (typed input: 1 to 128) Default: 0.5 % Continuous keyframes |
| Pixels Per Line | Number of square pixel stamps placed along each FM carrier. | 1 to 512 Default: 112 Discrete keyframes |
| RGB Chroma Offset | Offsets red and blue carrier phases in opposite directions for chromatic signal fringing. | 0 to 24 Default: 0 Continuous keyframes |
| Scan Direction | Direction used to scan source luminance into the carrier. | 0° to 360° Default: 70° Continuous keyframes |
| Stops | Editable gradient stops used to colour the generated FM carrier. | Gradient stops Default: None Not keyframeable |
| Warp Strength | Sets how strongly source luminance bends the FM carrier phase. | 0 to 5 Default: 0.9 Continuous keyframes |