Aspects of the present disclosure describe techniques for controlling coherent crosstalk errors that occur in multi-channel acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) by applying cancellation tones to reduce or eliminate the crosstalk errors. For example, methods and systems are described that include calculating initial radio frequency (RF) tones to be applied to multiple channels of the AOM; calculating, in response to an application of the initial RF tones, compensation RF tones to be added to the initial RF tones to at least partially correct for undesired crosstalk effects; and in response to the application of the initial RF tones and the compensation RF tones, calculating subsequent compensation RF tones to be added to the initial RF tones until the crosstalk effect in each of the multiple channels is below a threshold level.