Lightning_Reaper

I just recently downloaded the Technic/Tekkit launcher for minecraft. It works great and all except, im wondering if it can play other mods that arent in the tekkit launcher. If so then how do I add these mods? One last thing: I never modded anything minecraft related so do I need a mod-launcher, or can I use the Technic launcher as a (mod loader/updater)? *Edit: where can I download the aether mod? will it work with tekkit launcher?