A seismic source for generating seismic waves under water includes an operating head having an operating chamber, a cushion chamber, and discharge ports, a firing chamber attached to the operating head, the firing chamber configured to hold compressed air to be discharged through the discharge ports, and a shuttle assembly having a shaft located within the operating head and configured to prevent the compressed air in the firing chamber to enter the discharge ports when in a close state, and to allow the compressed air in the firing chamber to be discharged through the discharge ports when in an open state. The shaft of the shuttle assembly which extends in both the operating chamber and the cushion chamber, has a channel having a varying depth.