A modulation system and method are provided for transitioning between modulation formats in adjacent transmit bursts. The modulation system includes a data interface, first modulation circuitry operating according to a first modulation format, and second modulation circuitry operating according to a second modulation format. During a transition, a timing signal triggers ramp-down of an output power of a power amplifier amplifying modulated data for the first transmit burst. Upon receiving the timing signal, the data interface proceeds to provide a current symbol of data for the first transmit burst. Upon completion of the current symbol, the data interface delays data for a second transmit burst by a variable delay time prior to providing the data for the second transmit burst to the second modulation circuitry, and the second modulation circuitry is reset. Accordingly, a glitch caused by resetting the second modulation circuitry occurs before ramp-up for the second transmit burst.