A sound source is any object or entity that produces sound waves. This can include natural sources like musical instruments, animals, and the human voice, as well as artificial sources such as speakers and machines. When these sources vibrate, they create pressure waves in the air, which we perceive as sound. The characteristics of a sound source, such as its size, shape, and material, influence the quality and volume of the sound produced. For example, a drum creates a deep, resonant sound due to its hollow structure, while a flute produces a higher-pitched tone because of its slender shape and the way air flows through it.