The conversion of time domain data via the fast Fourier (FFT) and Hilbert-Huang (HHT) transforms is compared. The FFT treats amplitude vs. time information globally as it transforms the data to an amplitude vs. frequency description. The HHT is not constrained by the assumptions of stationarity and linearity, required for the FFT, and generates both amplitude and frequency information as a function of time. The behavior and flexibility of these two transforms are examined for a number of different time domain signal types.