The present disclosure provides a system, method, and apparatus for compressing and extracting features. The method involves transmitting at least one ultrasound signal into an object at a plurality of different locations on the object. Each of the locations is denoted by an x location and a y location. The method further involves receiving at least one waveform response signal. Also, the method involves generating a three-dimensional (3D) data cube with an X dimension, a Y dimension, and a time dimension. At least one waveform response signal is stored within the 3D data cube at the x location and the y location that is associated with the waveform response signal(s). Further, the method involves transforming at least one waveform response signal of the 3D data cube to produce at least one transformed signal.