Yamaha QX5 Owner's Manual page 54

REFERENCE ME
WHAT'S HEXADECIMAL?
THE HEXADECIMAL
HEXADECIMAL I
53
SYSTEM
DECIMAL
CONVERSION
When dealing with computers, it is often convenient to use the Hexadecimal
numbering system (often abbreviated "Hex"). The way of counting that we use
everyday is called the decimal system, because it has ten numerals, O through 9,
and is based on the number ten. The Hexadecimal system uses sixteen numerals.
This is a number system based on the number sixteen, with sixteen numerals. Since
we only have numerals 0 to 9, we will use letters of the alphabet, tike this.
O, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F (Hex "F" = Decimal "15")
Then, when we want to go beyond F, we move one place to the left and start with
O again.
8,9, A, B, C, E, D, F, 10, 11, ... 19, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 20, 21, ...
(So as not to confuse hexadecimal and decimal numbers, a dollar sign "$" is often il
put in front of hex numbers. Eg. $AD)
Here is an example of how to convert a hex number into decimal.
DECIMAL 161 x3 +16°x 13 = 61
For your convenience, a Decimal / Hexadecimal / Binary conversion table is included
on the next page. (Binary numbers represent the actual electronic on/off pulses
inside the computer.)
The next sections "What's MIDI" and "MIDI Format Table" will use Hexadecimal
numbers.