Systems and methods for automatic level control (ALC) are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a multi-threshold programmable ALC controller; and at least one signal path that includes: a digital step attenuator to receive an analog communications signal and attenuate the communications signal in response to an attenuation adjustment signal from the ALC controller; and an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the communications signal as attenuated by the digital step attenuator, wherein the ALC controller receives complex IQ samples of the attenuated communication signal; wherein the ALC controller comprises a plurality of clip detectors that function in parallel, wherein each of the clip detectors are programmed with a respective amplitude and time threshold, wherein based on which of the plurality of clip detectors determine that the complex IQ samples exceed their respective amplitude and time threshold, the ALC controller generates the attenuation adjustment signal to the digital step attenuator.