Techniques are described for implementing an out-of-band communication channel used to exchange control channel information in sub-carrier-based optical communication systems. In an example implementation, an apparatus includes an optical tap coupled to an optical communication path carrying a modulated optical signal carrying a plurality of optical subcarriers. The optical tap has a first output configured to supply a first portion of the modulated optical signal and a second output configured to supply a second portion of the modulated optical signal. The plurality of optical subcarriers are amplitude modulated based on control data at a first frequency, and each of the plurality of optical subcarriers is modulated to carry user data at a second frequency greater than the first frequency. The apparatus is configured to supply the control based on the first portion of the modulated optical signal.