A fuel modulation system usable in can-annular combustor systems of turbine engines for more efficiently managing fuel flow to reduce the amount of NOx while maintaining appropriate combustor flame temperatures. The fuel modulation system controls individual inline modulation valves in cooperation with a overall stage control valve to bring a turbine engine through the startup phase and to maintain operating conditions at a load set point while reducing NOx variability between baskets by using individual combustor dynamic pressure measurements. The fuel modulation system may be managed such that individual inline modulation valves remain within a predetermined range of positions relative to a nominal position to reduce NOx variability.