Creating a clean echo trail effect is one of the fastest ways to make a music video feel more dynamic and high end. In this tutorial, I break down how to create a disgustingly clean echo trail effect entirely inside Adobe Premiere Pro using the new Object Masking tool in Premiere Pro 2026, along with a free preset.
This effect works especially well for music videos, artist visuals, performance shots, and short-form content like reels. Everything is done natively in Premiere Pro, no After Effects required, which makes it both beginner friendly and production ready.
You’ll learn the correct layer setup, masking workflow, and how to stack effects properly so the echo trail follows your subject smoothly without breaking the image or causing messy overlaps.
How to duplicate clips and organize layers for echo effects
Using Premiere Pro 2026 Object Masking to isolate your subject
Correctly assigning the mask to opacity so the subject is cleanly separated
Duplicating layers and nesting for controlled echo behavior
Applying and customizing the Echo effect for smooth trails
Creating thermal-style color looks for added visual impact
Making thermal effects manually using Lumetri color curves
Adding glow using the Wonderlow effect to soften and stylize the trail
Finishing the effect with camera shake to bring everything to life
Once your layers are set up correctly, the echo trail becomes extremely flexible. You can adjust the number of echoes, change color styles, add glow, or push the effect into more experimental territory depending on the vibe of the song.
Chapters and timeline reference for the full walkthrough are below, so you can jump to exactly what you need.
0:00 Echo trail effect preview
0:10 Clip duplication and initial setup
0:26 Object Masking in Premiere Pro 2026
1:02 Assigning the mask correctly
1:21 Layer duplication and nesting
1:39 Applying the echo preset
2:00 Customizing the echo trail
2:05 Thermal color preset
2:45 Making thermal effects manually
3:46 Adding glow
4:14 Camera shake
4:59 Final result
A free echo trail preset is linked below the video, along with a free thermal color preset used in this workflow. Both are designed to help you get professional results faster without overcomplicating your timeline.
Keep in mind that Premiere Pro 2026 is required to use the new Object Masking feature shown in this tutorial.
Want to edit music videos faster?
If you’re a music video editor or an independent artist learning how to edit your own visuals, AutoEdit is an AI plugin built specifically for music videos.
AutoEdit automatically cuts music videos to the beat, applies camera shakes and visual effects, and helps generate clean rough cuts in minutes instead of hours. It’s designed to remove repetitive editing work so you can focus on creative direction and final polish.
Get AutoEdit here
html https://elevenpercent.net/blogs/[your-blog-post-url]?utm_source=[source]&utm_medium=[medium]&utm_campaign=shopify_blog_promotion
Adobe Premiere Pro
Echo trail effect
Music video editing
Premiere Pro effects
AI video editing