SonicExplorer
bitflipper, I just downloaded LoudMax it is only 360KB.   Does that sound right??.... seems more like the size of a virus.....    When I scanned it Norton took longer than I've ever seen to make up it's mind.

Sonic

These types of algorithmic processors typically are not large in size, because they don't carry internal payloads of large amounts of data. The largest VST DLLs are as big as they are because of graphical data, so the prettiest ones with photo-realistic knobs and graphics tend to be in the 2 MB+ range (e.g. FabFilter, iZotope). The 64-bit version of LoudMax, with its simple UI, is just 408 KB; I would expect the 32-bit version to be smaller.

You might want to consider a transient shaper. The Cake PX-64 percussion strip is pretty cool, I'm not sure what version it was introduced in.
 
Rocky

I was going to suggest Cakewalk's amazing Adaptive Limiter, which I have running on most of my drum busses, but few have noted the elephant in this thread: . . . that you're running Win XP and Sonar Edition Producer 5 ?
I'm thinking bitflippers suggestion of LOUDMAX may be your best option.

XP????? Producer 5????

The percussion strip was introduced in 8.5, so not an option for Sonic.
 
I am a fan of transient shapers, but that's probably the direct opposite of what the OP is looking for. You still need to follow a transient designer with a limiter.
 
I think what he's after is something that can limit dynamic range while preserving transients and adding some harmonic distortion. LoudMax mostly fills the bill there, although it's not that great at preserving transients. But if fat and thick is what you're after, it does that well.
 
Another one, not free but very cheap, is Nomad Factory's Bus Driver. It's not a limiter, but rather a compressor with a lot of distortion. Not bad on a drum bus and can be used on individual tracks as well.

XP was supported until 2014, and even after that many VST makers continue to support XP.  Newly designed VST's these days are often Win7 and up now though.  But I have just about everything I need on XP, just trying to patch a few VST feature holes.  And to freak you guys out even more, I've intentionally chosen every piece of the system (PC, Hardware, Software) to stay compatible with W2K.  
 
One day I may be brave enough to try and move to Sonar 8.x though. But there would need to be some compelling reasons to do so....
 
Sonic

SonicExplorer
 
 
One day I may be brave enough to try and move to Sonar 8.x though. But there would need to be some compelling reasons to do so....
 
Sonic

Unless you've previously purchased it or have dubious access to it, I don't think that's an option.
 
Rocky

I've seen Sonar listed on eBay from time to time, never really investigated it much but assumed they were new copies available.  That's not even on the radar at the moment though, just something I have in the back of my mind as a possible future option.  Some major limitation involving S5 would have to first surface or else some major compelling feature in S8.

I have an old Dell Inspiron laptop w/Intel P4 and 2GB RAM, and WinXP, that runs Sonar 8.5 and Project5 well.  It also has an integrated FireWire port.
 
Been a while since I booted it though...
 
Keep it in the closet, just in case! 

Got you beat, I have my prior (now backup) DAW in the closet with W2K, and Sonar 2 & 5 on it.  P4 and 768MB of RAM.  LoL !