SysexMessage (Java Platform SE 8 )
Keywords: javax.sound.midi.SysexMessage class
Date: 2026-04-22

javax.sound.midi

## Class SysexMessage

- java.lang.Object
- - javax.sound.midi.MidiMessage
  - - javax.sound.midi.SysexMessage

- All Implemented Interfaces:
    Cloneable

      public class SysexMessage
      extends MidiMessage

  A `SysexMessage` object represents a MIDI system exclusive message.

  When a system exclusive message is read from a MIDI file, it always has a defined length. Data from a system exclusive message from a MIDI file should be stored in the data array of a `SysexMessage` as follows: the system exclusive message status byte (0xF0 or 0xF7), all message data bytes, and finally the end-of-exclusive flag (0xF7). The length reported by the `SysexMessage` object is therefore the length of the system exclusive data plus two: one byte for the status byte and one for the end-of-exclusive flag.

  As dictated by the Standard MIDI Files specification, two status byte values are legal for a `SysexMessage` read from a MIDI file:

  - 0xF0: System Exclusive message (same as in MIDI wire protocol)
  - 0xF7: Special System Exclusive message

  When Java Sound is used to handle system exclusive data that is being received using MIDI wire protocol, it should place the data in one or more `SysexMessages`. In this case, the length of the system exclusive data is not known in advance; the end of the system exclusive data is marked by an end-of-exclusive flag (0xF7) in the MIDI wire byte stream.

  - 0xF0: System Exclusive message (same as in MIDI wire protocol)
  - 0xF7: End of Exclusive (EOX)
  The first `SysexMessage` object containing data for a particular system exclusive message should have the status value 0xF0. If this message contains all the system exclusive data for the message, it should end with the status byte 0xF7 (EOX). Otherwise, additional system exclusive data should be sent in one or more `SysexMessages` with a status value of 0xF7. The `SysexMessage` containing the last of the data for the system exclusive message should end with the value 0xF7 (EOX) to mark the end of the system exclusive message.

  If system exclusive data from `SysexMessages` objects is being transmitted using MIDI wire protocol, only the initial 0xF0 status byte, the system exclusive data itself, and the final 0xF7 (EOX) byte should be propagated; any 0xF7 status bytes used to indicate that a `SysexMessage` contains continuing system exclusive data should not be propagated via MIDI wire protocol.

- - ### Field Summary

    Fields
    Modifier and Type | Field and Description
    --- | ---
    `static int` | `SPECIAL_SYSTEM_EXCLUSIVE` Status byte for Special System Exclusive message (0xF7, or 247), which is used in MIDI files.
    `static int` | `SYSTEM_EXCLUSIVE` Status byte for System Exclusive message (0xF0, or 240).

    - ### Fields inherited from class javax.sound.midi.MidiMessage

      `data, length`

  - ### Constructor Summary

    Constructors
    Modifier | Constructor and Description
    --- | ---
    `` | `SysexMessage()` Constructs a new `SysexMessage`.
    `protected` | `SysexMessage(byte[] data)` Constructs a new `SysexMessage`.
    `` | `SysexMessage(byte[] data, int length)` Constructs a new `SysexMessage` and sets the data for the message.
    `` | `SysexMessage(int status, byte[] data, int length)` Constructs a new `SysexMessage` and sets the data for the message.

  - ### Method Summary

    All Methods Instance Methods Concrete Methods
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `Object` | `clone()` Creates a new object of the same class and with the same contents as this object.
    `byte[]` | `getData()` Obtains a copy of the data for the system exclusive message.
    `void` | `setMessage(byte[] data, int length)` Sets the data for the system exclusive message.
    `void` | `setMessage(int status, byte[] data, int length)` Sets the data for the system exclusive message.

    - ### Methods inherited from class javax.sound.midi.MidiMessage

      `getLength, getMessage, getStatus`

    - ### Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

      `equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait`

- - ### Field Detail

    - #### SYSTEM_EXCLUSIVE

          public static final int SYSTEM_EXCLUSIVE

      Status byte for System Exclusive message (0xF0, or 240).
      See Also:
        `MidiMessage.getStatus()`, Constant Field Values

    - #### SPECIAL_SYSTEM_EXCLUSIVE

          public static final int SPECIAL_SYSTEM_EXCLUSIVE

      Status byte for Special System Exclusive message (0xF7, or 247), which is used in MIDI files. It has the same value as END_OF_EXCLUSIVE, which is used in the real-time "MIDI wire" protocol.
      See Also:
        `MidiMessage.getStatus()`, Constant Field Values

  - ### Constructor Detail

    - #### SysexMessage

          public SysexMessage()

      Constructs a new `SysexMessage`. The contents of the new message are guaranteed to specify a valid MIDI message. Subsequently, you may set the contents of the message using one of the `setMessage` methods.
      See Also:
        `setMessage(byte[], int)`

    - #### SysexMessage

          public SysexMessage(byte[] data,
                              int length)
                       throws InvalidMidiDataException

      Constructs a new `SysexMessage` and sets the data for the message. The first byte of the data array must be a valid system exclusive status byte (0xF0 or 0xF7). The contents of the message can be changed by using one of the `setMessage` methods.
      Parameters:
        `data` - the system exclusive message data including the status byte
        `length` - the length of the valid message data in the array, including the status byte; it should be non-negative and less than or equal to `data.length`
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the parameter values do not specify a valid MIDI meta message.
      Since:
        1.7
      See Also:
        `setMessage(byte[], int)`, `setMessage(int, byte[], int)`, `getData()`

    - #### SysexMessage

          public SysexMessage(int status,
                              byte[] data,
                              int length)
                       throws InvalidMidiDataException

      Constructs a new `SysexMessage` and sets the data for the message. The contents of the message can be changed by using one of the `setMessage` methods.
      Parameters:
        `status` - the status byte for the message; it must be a valid system exclusive status byte (0xF0 or 0xF7)
        `data` - the system exclusive message data (without the status byte)
        `length` - the length of the valid message data in the array; it should be non-negative and less than or equal to `data.length`
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the parameter values do not specify a valid MIDI meta message.
      Since:
        1.7
      See Also:
        `setMessage(byte[], int)`, `setMessage(int, byte[], int)`, `getData()`

    - #### SysexMessage

          protected SysexMessage(byte[] data)

      Constructs a new `SysexMessage`.
      Parameters:
        `data` - an array of bytes containing the complete message. The message data may be changed using the `setMessage` method.
      See Also:
        `setMessage(byte[], int)`

  - ### Method Detail

    - #### setMessage

          public void setMessage(byte[] data,
                                 int length)
                          throws InvalidMidiDataException

      Sets the data for the system exclusive message. The first byte of the data array must be a valid system exclusive status byte (0xF0 or 0xF7).
      Overrides:
        `setMessage` in class `MidiMessage`
      Parameters:
        `data` - the system exclusive message data
        `length` - the length of the valid message data in the array, including the status byte.
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the parameter values do not specify a valid MIDI meta message

    - #### setMessage

          public void setMessage(int status,
                                 byte[] data,
                                 int length)
                          throws InvalidMidiDataException

      Sets the data for the system exclusive message.
      Parameters:
        `status` - the status byte for the message (0xF0 or 0xF7)
        `data` - the system exclusive message data
        `length` - the length of the valid message data in the array
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the status byte is invalid for a sysex message

    - #### getData

          public byte[] getData()

      Obtains a copy of the data for the system exclusive message. The returned array of bytes does not include the status byte.
      Returns:
        array containing the system exclusive message data.

    - #### clone

          public Object clone()

      Creates a new object of the same class and with the same contents as this object.
      Specified by:
        `clone` in class `MidiMessage`
      Returns:
        a clone of this instance
      See Also:
        `Cloneable`

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