Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for tuning an analog equalizer and a digital equalizer associated with a communications channel. A plurality of signals is injected into a model of a communication channel, the model being configured to have an analog equalizer at a receiving end, tuning a setting of the analog equalizer to obtain a first ratio of a pulse peak to a rise time in a precursor portion of the injected plurality signals that are received from the channel, injecting another plurality of signals into the model of the communication channel, the model being reconfigured to have the tuned analog equalizer and a digital equalizer downstream of the tuned analog equalizer, and tuning a setting of the digital equalizer based on a post-cursor tail characteristic of the another plurality of signals. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.