Installation

1. Download the Analog FX Lab plugin
2. Unzip the downloaded zip file
3. Drag the Analog FX Lab.zip file onto the Cavalry interface
4. Find Analog FX Lab in the Add Layers window

Analog FX Lab is a third-party Cavalry Filter for realistic VHS signal processing and CRT display emulation. The two sections can be used independently or combined as a single analog-video pipeline.

Quick start

1. Apply Analog FX Lab to a layer, group, or pre-composition.
2. Enable VHS Enabled, CRT Enabled, or both.
3. Use VHS Amount and CRT Amount to set the overall strength of each section.
4. Choose an Edge Mode that matches the source.
5. Refine the individual controls as needed.

The three time inputs connect to the current composition frame automatically. Animation begins as soon as an animated effect has a non-zero value.

Recommended workflow

For an effect that covers the complete frame, apply Analog FX Lab to a full-frame layer or pre-composition and set Edge Mode to Clamp. For an isolated shape, text layer, or other artwork with transparency around it, use Auto or Transparent so displaced and blurred detail can extend beyond the source alpha edge.

Build the look in stages. Set the overall amount, establish the main signal or display character, then add noise, bloom, and animation last.

General controls

Blend Mode

Controls how the filtered result is composited.

Default: Replace

Edge Mode

Controls sampling at the source boundary.

Default: Auto
Options: Auto, Clamp, Transparent

• Auto preserves transparent edges for isolated layers and uses opaque-edge behavior where appropriate.
• Clamp repeats the outermost source pixels. Use it for full-frame layers.
• Transparent treats samples beyond the source boundary as transparent. Use it for isolated artwork when the effect should extend beyond the alpha edge.

VHS controls

VHS Enabled

Enables or bypasses VHS processing.

Default: On

VHS Amount

Scales the overall intensity of the VHS section.

Default: 1.0
Range: 0.0-1.0

Time-Based Jitter

Adds horizontal tape instability and scanline-correlated drift.

Default: 4.0 px
Range: 0.0-12.0 px

Chroma Bleed

Softens and offsets recorded color information, with a directional tape response.

Default: 5.0 px
Range: 0.0-16.0 px

Tape Noise

Sets the strength of animated tape noise.

Default: 0.1
Range: 0.0-0.2

Tape Noise Size

Sets the scale of the tape-noise pattern.

Default: 2.0 px
Range: 0.5-6.0 px

Tape Noise Color

Adds independently randomized chroma variation to the tape noise.

Default: 1.0
Range: 0.0-2.0

Head Switching Noise

Adds restrained distortion near the lower edge of the signal.

Default: 0.75
Range: 0.0-1.0

Luma Softness

Softens luminance detail while retaining separate chroma behavior.

Default: 1.0 px
Range: 0.0-6.0 px

Color Degradation

Reduces color fidelity for a worn analog-tape response.

Default: 0.3
Range: 0.0-1.0

Time - Jitter

Drives the time-based jitter animation.

Default: Current composition frame

Time - Noise

Drives tape noise and head-switching animation.

Default: Current composition frame

CRT controls

CRT Enabled

Enables or bypasses CRT processing.

Default: Off

CRT Amount

Scales the overall intensity of the CRT section.

Default: 1.0
Range: 0.0-1.0

Curvature

Simulates the geometry of curved CRT glass.

Default: 0.5
Range: 0.0-1.0

Overscan

Enlarges the image within the simulated display area.

Default: 0.05
Range: 0.0-0.25

Scanlines

Sets the strength of horizontal scanlines.

Default: 0.35
Range: 0.0-1.0

Scanline Spacing

Sets the vertical distance between scanlines.

Default: 3.0 px
Range: 2.0-12.0 px

Use CRT Resolution

Samples the source at the simulated display resolution so image detail follows the scanline and grille structure.

Default: On

Scanline Softness

Controls the softness of the scanline pattern.

Default: 0.55
Range: 0.0-1.0

Aperture Grille

Adds an RGB phosphor grille pattern.

Default: 0.25
Range: 0.0-1.0

Aperture Grille Scale

Sets the size of the RGB grille pattern.

Default: 1.5 px
Range: 0.75-6.0 px

Brightness Compensation

Restores brightness reduced by scanlines and the aperture grille.

Default: 0.75
Range: 0.0-1.0

Black Level

Raises the CRT black floor so display texture remains visible in dark areas.

Default: 0.05
Range: 0.0-0.15

CRT Bloom

Adds compact phosphor bloom around bright detail.

Default: 0.15
Range: 0.0-1.0

CRT Vignette

Darkens the display toward its edges.

Default: 0.3
Range: 0.0-1.0

Rolling Distortion

Sets the strength of the rolling horizontal offset band.

Default: 0.2
Range: 0.0-1.0

Time - CRT

Drives the rolling-distortion animation.

Default: Current composition frame

Practical tips

• Start with the default settings and adjust one section at a time.
• Use Clamp for full-frame footage and pre-compositions.
• Use Auto or Transparent for isolated shapes, text, and artwork.
• Reduce VHS Amount or CRT Amount when combining both sections for a subtler result.
• Increase Tape Noise Color when noise needs to remain visible on dark footage.
• Increase Black Level slightly when CRT pixels disappear into pure black.
• Increase Scanline Spacing and Aperture Grille Scale together for a coarser display.
• Disable Use CRT Resolution when the source should remain sharp beneath the display pattern.
• Override the time inputs with expressions to change the speed or timing of individual animated effects.

Performance

Analog FX Lab uses a multi-pass shader pipeline. Processing cost increases with source resolution and blur-based controls such as Chroma Bleed, Luma Softness, and CRT Bloom. Disable an unused section and keep large sources close to their required output resolution for faster previews.

Output quality

Judge scanlines, grille detail, noise, and CRT resolution at the intended output size. Viewport scaling can introduce temporary moire or sampling differences that are not present in a full-resolution render.