Hello.  I'm running Sonar X2a and Win 7 (all 64 bit).
 
I would like to have a transparent limiting plug-in on my main mix bus to prevent clipping.  I'm not interested in maximizing volume, only in preventing digital "overs".  And free if possible.
 
What are your recommendations?  Anyone using the included CW plugs for this purpose?

I like W1 for that sort of thing among free limiters. It's simple and no frills. Basically a stripped down clone of Waves L1 with just the basic limiting elements.

Limiter No. 6

I hear Limiter6 is pretty good, it's free. It won the KVR plugin challenge some years back. It's multiband though.

Thanks guys for your input.  I will check them out.

Loudmax clean and efficient.. much better than boost11.
http://loudmax.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

If you're on X3, the bluetubes bundle has a very good limiter in it.
 

(whoops, just re-read original post) Upgrade maybe? You'll get tons of good plugz! ;-)
 
 

BbAltered
Hello.  I'm running Sonar X2a and Win 7 (all 64 bit).
 
I would like to have a transparent limiting plug-in on my main mix bus to prevent clipping.  I'm not interested in maximizing volume, only in preventing digital "overs".  And free if possible.
 
What are your recommendations?  Anyone using the included CW plugs for this purpose?

The Sonitus multiband has a limiting option. On the common page, set the Ratio to 1.0 so it doesn't do any actual multiband compression, then enable the Limit button. That might be all you need to trap transients.

As a follow up to my suggestion, here is an article comparing W1 to Wave's L1: http://redfaux.typepad.com/the_redfaux_transmission/2010/01/is-the-free-yohng-w1-limiter-really-a-waves-l1-clone.html
 
It shows where it falls short to L1, but it doesn't sound like you need L1's other features.  many of the other options are good choices.  i like Loudmax and Limiter 6 very much, but for simple , fairly transparent limiting, I have used W1 more than either.