diff --git a/api/router.py b/api/router.py
index 49a2e48..863e690 100644
--- a/api/router.py
+++ b/api/router.py
@@ -112,7 +112,9 @@ async def toggle_recording(user: dict = Depends(current_user)):
         return {"action": "reset"}
     if state.status == Status.IDLE:
         from audio import AudioRecorder
-        state._recorder = AudioRecorder()
+        cfg = load_config()
+        audio_device = cfg.get("audio", {}).get("device") or None
+        state._recorder = AudioRecorder(device=audio_device)
         state._recorder.start()
         state.recording_user = user["username"]
         state._recording_output_dir = os.path.join(user["output_dir"], user["username"])
diff --git a/audio.py b/audio.py
index 5b64345..8fa76cf 100644
--- a/audio.py
+++ b/audio.py
@@ -4,8 +4,9 @@ import numpy as np
 
 
 class AudioRecorder:
-    def __init__(self, sample_rate: int = 16000):
+    def __init__(self, sample_rate: int = 16000, device: str | None = None):
         self.sample_rate = sample_rate
+        self.device = device or None
         self._buffer: list[np.ndarray] = []
         self._stream = None
         self.is_recording = False
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ class AudioRecorder:
             channels=1,
             dtype="int16",
             callback=self._callback,
+            device=self.device,
         )
         self._stream.start()
 
diff --git a/tests/test_audio.py b/tests/test_audio.py
index fef3f84..2935d3b 100644
--- a/tests/test_audio.py
+++ b/tests/test_audio.py
@@ -27,3 +27,14 @@ def test_recorder_save_wav(tmp_path):
     with wave.open(out) as wf:
         assert wf.getframerate() == 16000
         assert wf.getnchannels() == 1
+
+
+def test_recorder_stores_device_param():
+    from audio import AudioRecorder
+    rec = AudioRecorder(device="my-pipewire-source")
+    assert rec.device == "my-pipewire-source"
+
+def test_recorder_device_none_when_empty_string():
+    from audio import AudioRecorder
+    rec = AudioRecorder(device="")
+    assert rec.device is None