Abstract: A two channel circuit and method for the automatic edit optimization of a recording medium which is operable with a recorder such as a video tape recorder or a disc recorder, utilizes a first channel means including an automatic scan tracking playback head and a second channel means including a record head. First and second rf peak signals indicative of variations in the stored data patterns in the medium are generated for the two channels. The gain of a variable gain amplifier coupled to the automatic scan tracking playback head is adjusted in accordance with a first correction signal derived from the generated first rf peak signal. The gain of a variable gain amplifier coupled to the record head is adjusted in accordance with a second correction signal derived from the generated second rf peak signal.