How to Edit a Seamless Transition | For Beginners (Speed Ramp Tips in Premiere Pro)
Disclosure: This website may contain affiliate links to Amazon or others meaning that I make a small commission form qualifying purchases if you decide to make a purchase through one of my links. This is at no extra cost to you.
Hey there! If you're new to editing or just getting into speed ramps, this quick guide will show you how to create smooth, seamless transitions between clips using speed ramps in Adobe Premiere Pro.
This is perfect if you're working with gimbal footage or just want to make your edits feel more cinematic.
What Is a Speed Ramp?
A speed ramp is when you change the speed of a video clip—speeding it up or slowing it down—to create smoother motion and hide cuts between clips. When done right, it can make transitions feel buttery smooth.
Step-by-Step: Editing a Seamless Speed Ramp Transition
1. Prep Your Footage
Use clips that have matching motion (like both tilting down).
Place them in a 24fps sequence, even if they’re shot in 60fps.
Right-click each clip → Speed/Duration → Set to 40% for smooth slow motion.
2. Add Your Clips to the Timeline
Line up the first and second clips so they flow in the same direction (e.g. tilt down into tilt down).
📝 Tip: You want the motion at the end of the first clip to match the beginning of the second.
3. Add Speed Ramps
Right-click each clip → Show Clip Keyframes > Time Remapping > Speed.
Hold Cmd/Ctrl and click to add keyframes near the motion.
Drag the speed line up to 800–1000% between keyframes.
Pull out the "ears" on either side to smooth the ramp.
Create a slight S-curve for a more natural transition.
4. Fine-Tune
Trim a few frames from the start or end of your clip if needed.
Try moving the speed ramp earlier or later to find the sweet spot.
Render in/out (press I and O, then go to Sequence > Render In to Out) to preview without lag.
5. Add Finishing Touches
Drop in some sound effects for extra punch (I use Upbeat).
Export and enjoy your seamless transition!
Why It Works
Speed ramps help hide the hard cuts between clips by blurring motion and matching camera movement. When done well, it feels like one continuous shot—even if it’s not.
Final Tips
Use footage with intentional movement (e.g., tilts or whips).
Shoot at higher frame rates (like 60fps) if you plan to slow things down.
Keep your transitions quick and purposeful—don’t overdo the effect.
